Yankees loud bats fall short as Angels take the series rubber game

The Yankees pounded out fourteen hits against a beleaguered Angels pitching staff last night in Anaheim. But it was the outs with runners in scoring position and the faulty debut of a rookie reliever that made the difference.

Normally, the Yankees would run away from an opponent with a win after scoring four runs in the first inning that included an exclamation point three-run home run from Gary Sanchez. But this was not a normal night for the Bronx Bombers.

Because from that point on, the Yankees managed to score only one more run in the sixth inning of a 7-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels when Chase Headley singled to drive in Sanchez to knot the score at 5-5. Only trouble was that Headley was cut down at second trying to stretch the hit into a double. Rally over.

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And normally, when Michael Pineda (7-3, 3.71) delivers a start that covers 6.1 innings, he usually doesn’t give up ten hits and five runs along the way. But it was that kind of night for the team and this one, hopefully, goes in the “let’s forget it and move on” column where it belongs.

And normally, the Yankees bullpen comes on strong, and the Yankees manage to squeak out another run, and everyone goes home happy. But on this night, Joe Girardi handed the ball to a rookie making his major league debut, Ronald Herrera 0-1, 9.00), who promptly surrendered a two-run home run to Andrelton Simmons.

Yup, just one of those games.

Yankees bits and pieces

*** Girardi made a few changes in the lineup before the game, benching Chris Carter and moving Matt Holliday to first base. Aaron Judge also took a turn as the DH.

*** CC Sabathia has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring injury and will miss at least four weeks or four starts, whichever you prefer. But that estimate is generally optimistic as Grade 2 hamstring injuries have a way of extending time lost to as many as six weeks.

*** The Yankees announced that they have acquired right-hander Matt Frawley from the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete the deal that sent Johnny Barbato to the Bucs. Frawley will be assigned to Class-A Charleston.

*** The Yankees are being mysteriously quiet about who will replace Sabathia in the rotation. Once again, the trade rumor mill fills pages of newsprint. But the most likely candidates are from within, and they include Bryan Mitchell, Chance Adams, and Chad Green.

*** According to NJ.com, Governor Chris Christie called Angel’s manager, Mike Scioscia, “a dope,” for pitching to Aaron Judge on Monday night when Judge’s two-run homer beat the Angels late in the game. Well, you know what they say. It takes one to know one.

*** It’s becoming a source of fascinating entertainment watching the Aaron Judge “Is he for real” debate. Sports Illustrated says, are you kidding, of course, he is. But the Irish Times says, hold on, not so fast.

Six Yankees do what they must in order find greatness

There is a clear and powerful difference, however, between the 2016 Yankees versions of these players and the 2017 versions.

*** The Yankees move on to Oakland to face the A’s. Jordan Montgomery gets the call to end the team’s two-game skid. Sonny Gray gets the ball for the A’s in a 10:05 P.M. EST start.