The Yankees scored seven runs in the third inning to defeat the San Diego Padres 10-7 on Sunday afternoon.
Here are some takeaways…
– The Yankees opened the game in the third inning with what looked like an endless carousel of base-runners. The Bombers hit it all, scoring seven runs on eight hits, including two doubles of Kyle Higashioka and RBI hits from Antoine Volpe, Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo, Willie Calhoun, And Isaiah Kiner-Falefa. What is even more impressive is that DJ LeMahieu nearly hit a three-run homer to compound the damage, but Trent Grisham reached the wall at center right to steal it.
Still, the Yankees continued Yu Darvish of the game after just 2.2 innings. He allowed seven earned runs on seven hits, striking out two scoreless on walks.
– That big third inning helped cover up a very poor Yankees defense in the second inning. With a runner in second position, Jose Azocar hit a routine single to center, but the home judge’s pitch sailed to the backstop. Higashioka followed the ball and attempted to throw to third, but the pitch was remarkably off the mark, sailing into left field, allowing Azocar to score a Little League home run. Two play errors gave the Padres a 3-1 lead.
– The home judge’s throw may have been off the mark, but the defending MVP was stuck at home plate in this game. The judge hit his AL-leader 15e home run late in the first inning, and ended up going 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
– Jake Cronenworththe second batter of the game, jumped on a Gerrit Cole fastball for a solo home run, putting the Padres up 1-0. Once the Yankees gave Cole eight points of support, the ace settled in nicely, keeping the Padres at bay during the middle innings.
But the Padres started to turn things around in the top of the seventh. Cole allowed a two-run homer to Coarse odor then another single knocked him out of the match.
Cole (6.0-plus innings, six runs, five ER) allowed two more homers after allowing another pair of long balls in his last outing against Baltimore. The right-hander has now allowed six homers in his last four starts after allowing no big steals in his first five starts of the season.
– Clinging to a two-point lead, Ron Marinaccio hit Cronenworth to start the inning, but still threw a scoreless eighth. Harrison Bader added some respite with a late-inning solo homer, and Higashioka notched his third hit of the day to drive in another run, allowing Clay Holmes to come with a four-point lead.
Holmes could not find his command, walking the first two Padres he encountered. He allowed a run, but managed to close things.
– Rizzo left the game in the top of the sixth inning after colliding awkwardly with Fernando Tatis Jr.. on a replay game at the start. He seemed to hurt his wrist or shoulder, but Aaron Boon said after the game that Rizzo was “good” and that the Yankees were just being careful in taking him out of the game.
Strong points
And after
The Yankees begin a three-game series in Seattle against the Mariners Monday night at 9:40 p.m.
german domingo faces fellow right-hander Bryce Miller.