Sabathia crumbles in seventh, Yankees lose to Reds 5-2

CC Sabathia has pitched and won many games in his career with little run support. It is what the aces of teams do. Yesterday afternoon, as the New York Yankees had just taken a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, Sabathia fell apart.

The Yankees big ace was cruising along through six innings, matching zeroes with Reds starter Johnny Cueto. But, Cueto blinked first allowing a two-run homer to Raul Ibanez. Sabathia couldn’t hold it.

Ryan Ludwick who was riding the Mendoza line prior to the game, got a run back with a home run to left on the first pitch he saw in the at-bat. Sabathia retired Todd Frazier, but then gave up a second homer, this time to light hitting catcher Ryan Hanigan. In a matter of minutes the Yankees’ lead was vanquished.

Sabathia couldn’t recuperate and then just lost his control and the game. He allowed a single to Zack Cozart, but then struck out Chris Heisey for the second out. Next, Sabathia did something that was completely out of character, he walked three straight batters forcing in a run giving the Reds the lead. He struck out Jay Bruce to the end the inning, but the damage was done. Any good feelings the Yankees had from Ibanez’s homer were lost.

Now with the lead, Cueto came out for the bottom of the seventh and set the Yankees down in order. He pitched seven plus innings allowing two earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five. The Reds mixed and matched in the eighth after Cueto allowed a leadoff single to Curtis Granderson. Reds manager Dusty Baker inserted lefty Sean Marshall, who just the day before was relinquished of closer duties, to face Robinson Cano. Marshall got Cano to strike out on three straight sliders.

Right-hander Logan Ondrusek came on to face Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod drove a pitch to left field that everyone in the park thought was going to be a home run, but it died in the wind, much like the Yankees’ afternoon. Ondrusek got Ibanez to pop out ending the inning.

Ludwick continued to beat the Yankees on his own as he hit a two-run double off Yankees closer Rafael Soriano, who was trying to keep the Yankees within one run. Now with the lead 5-2, Baker called upon his newly minted closer Aroldis Chapman. The Reds’ fireballer worked around an error and and got the final three outs, striking out Andruw Jones to end the game.

The loss puts the Yankees at 21-20 just one game out of the AL East cellar.

NOTEWORTHY

• Mark Teixeira, who didn’t start any of the three games this weekend due to continued severe coughing, hopes to ready to go tonight.
• Brett Gardner will not swing a bat until Thursday.
• The Yankees RISP woes have reached 6-for-59 in their last eight games.

YANKS WELCOME ROYALS TO TOWN

The Yankees don’t get any time to think about this past series and that may be a good thing. The Kansas City Royals come to town today for a three-game set. Below is a look at the statistical leaders for both teams heading into tonight’s game.

TODAY’S GAME

Hiroki Kuroda looks to put his disastrous outing against Toronto in the distance for the Yankees, while Felipe Paulino takes the hill for the Royals.

EDITORIAL NOTE

Look out for Ricky Keeler, hosting the Yanks Go Yard Podcast Preview of the Royals series later this morning. I’ll have a commentary later in the day on what the Yankees need to jump start the offense, and look for the Yanks Go Yard Recap this evening.