Game One Recap: Yankees Falter After Gaining Lead In The 11th

After almost being no-hit through 7 innings last night in the Bronx, and having Chris Young not only break up the no-no, but to hit a three-run walk-off winner, the Yankees came into Baltimore feeling as is their last charge is energized with some much needed momentum. The AL East is all but gone, but the Bombers are hanging on to dear life for the second Wild Card spot. While they dipped into third, a 1/2 game behind the Blue Jays in the East, today’s double-tilt against the Blackbirds could help continue that momentum.

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Brandon McCarthy, who was acquired for a bag of balls and a Vidal Nuno, pitched another gem since returning to the American League from the desert. Through his first six innings of work, McCarthy, allowed only three hits.  He rediscovered his electric stuff once he began using his cut fastball again after the trade. The Yankees offense, while not being able to push any runs early across the plate, had 7 hits through two-thirds of the way through the ballgame, led by Martin Prado and Antoan Richardson, who each had two hits apiece.

The Yankees had more chances throughout the game than the Orioles, but simply couldn’t cash in. Mark Teixeira appears lost at the plate, as his batting average continues to plummet, while his powers numbers are nowhere to be found through the first two weeks of September. The Orioles opened their half of the 8th, with former Yankee/Red Sox infielder, Kelly Johnson smacked a double over outfielder Richardson’s head. That was all for McCarthy. His final line: 7+ innings, 4 hits, 0 walks, and 6 Ks. Manager Joe Girardi brought in his secret weapon, fireballing Dellin Betances to get the Yankees out of the inning.

Orioles catcher Nick Hundley bunted, and Yankees’ first baseman Mark Teixeira took the risk of throwing Johnson out at third, but the throw tailed away, and everyone was safe. A fielder’s choice, off the bat of Jonathan Schoop, and Johnson was dead in the water, getting himself thrown out at third base. A two-out walk loaded the bases, which brought All-Star center fielder Adam Jones to the plate. After a 99 mph fastball, Betances got Jones swinging to get out of the inning, by throwing a breaking ball in the dirt, that Jones was helpless to swing at, ending the threat and the inning, sending the game to the 9th inning, still scoreless.

After the Yankees went down without as much as a whimper, the Orioles worked a 1-out walk, and Girardi made the pitching change, lifting Betances for closer David Robertson. Buck Showalter countered by pinch-running Quintin Berry with J.J. Hardy coming to the plate. Berry on the second pitch of the at-bat, stole second base as the throw was high. Kelly Johnson popped up in foul territory to Prado for the second out of the inning. D-Rob walked the bases loaded, and struck out Schoop to send the contest to free baseball.

In the top of the 10th, Richardson worked a walk, advanced to second on a ground out by Ellsbury, and stole third. He was left stranded with a long fly out to the left fielder to send the game to the bottom of the 10th, still scoreless. Robertson worked the bottom of the 10th with no trouble, as the game continued on.

Finally in the top of the 11th, man on fire Young went deep for the Yankees. His solo shot was his third home run in three games; something he hadn’t done since 2008. With Robertson two innings deep, Adam Warren came in to seal the deal. Unfortunately, it’s Adam Warren.

Warren blew the save opportunity, allowing a lead-off walk then hitting a batter after a sacrifice bunt. He then came back to strikeout ex-Yankee Kelly Johnson. With 2 out and 2 on Warren lost his control and walked the next man to load the bases. Jimmy Paredes stepped to the plate and walked off with a 2 RBI single to right. Another day, another awful loss for the Yankees. The team’s offense forgot to show up again and they wasted a great outing from McCarthy as well as losing the option to pitch both Betances and Robertson in the 2nd game.