Yankees bats are lost and not found, Gray’s gem all for naught

The Yankees made a second appearance at Citi Field last night, but this time they forgot to bring their bats. It cost them too, not only losing a masterfully pitched game, but in the standings as well.

The Yankees, when you look at the lineup, they put out there, can’t possibly play a game in which they score only one run, managing only two singles and a double while striking out ten times. Except it did happen against Pirates cast off Blake Snell and a core of relievers who sent the Yankees home with a 2-1 loss, no consolation for Sonny Gray‘s masterpiece, and a one-game debit in the standings as both the Red Sox and Twins won their games.

Sonny Gray pitching into the eighth inning surrendered only his second hit of the game, a home run that broke a 1-1 tie to somebody named Adeiny Hechavarria.

Mama said there’d be days like this, but the loss leaves a sting on a team that is now forced to win the rubber game this afternoon to achieve their fourth consecutive series win.

Following the game, Gray summed up his effort to the New York Times:

“I threw that same pitch numerous times tonight and got people out,” Gray said. “I’m going to challenge guys, and I just got beat there. I got beat at the point of a game where you can’t get beat.”

Spoken like the true professional he is, Gray could have added the fact that the Yankees have given him one run or less in five of his eight starts since coming over from Oakland.

Yankees manager, Joe Girardi, could only manage to rationalize what’s happened when Gray takes the mound with this, again to the Times:

“He has pitched really well for us,” Manager Joe Girardi said. “It’s unfortunate, but over time, it’s going to work out when you pitch that well. Over the long haul, when you pitch like that, it’s going to work out really well for everyone involved.”

Of course, the one thing Girardi can’t tell us is precisely when “it’s going to work out well for everyone.” He must be hoping, though, as we all are that time coincides with the first start Gray gets in the playoffs.

Yankees news and notes

Clint Frazier returned to the lineup and was hitless in two tries. Girardi seemingly played a hunch by sending Jacoby Ellsbury to pinch-hit for Frazier in the eighth inning, but Ellsbury fouled out.

More from Yanks Go Yard

• Should Yankees toss short-term extension at Harrison Bader before 2023?
• Yankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendar
• Yankees State of the Farm System Review: Josh Breaux
• Yankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielder
• MLB insider claims favorite emerging in Bryan Reynolds rumors (not Yankees)

Gray’s effort gave the Yankees bullpen a full days rest. And that may be a godsend since Jaime Garcia (1-2, 4.88) is scheduled to make the start today against Chris Archer who, much like Gray, can’t seem to catch a break from his teammates on days when he pitches.

Greg Bird, who is suffering from back spasms and has missed 103 games this season, had an MRI yesterday. The team did not announce any results from the test.

The Yankees lead all of baseball with 25 one-run losses, including the one they sustained last night. They need to tighten that up in time for the playoffs when tight games are the name of the game.

Today in Yankees history

September 13, 2011 (Brought to you by National Pastime)

After getting the first two outs on strikeouts, Mariano Rivera records his 600th career save when catcher Russell Martin throws out Ichiro Suzuki trying to steal second base for the final out of the game. The 41 year-old Yankee closer is one save shy of tying Trevor Hoffman‘s major league career record.

Next: Cashman's deal for Gray reaches far into the future

Hey, fans, don’t forget to post your comments about this story, or anything Yankees on the Yanks Go Yard Facebook page where all Yankees fans get together.