Yankees Stop Tigers Streak, A-Rod Returns to the Big Apple
After making his debut in Chicago this week for the New York Yankees (58-56) – Chicago White Sox (43-71) series, Alex Rodriguez returned to the Big Apple on Friday and was greeted mostly by boos and a few cheers.
Alex Rodriguez
Not helping was the fact that Rodriguez struckout in his first time up at bat. For the polarizing player, it was his first appearance at Yankee Stadium since appealing his MLB 211-game suspension after violating its drug policy. His poor play continued throughout the game and for the night, Rodriguez went 0-for-4. He had three strikeouts with a flyout.
But the Yankees still won the game, defeating the hot Detroit Tigers (68-46) 4-3 in 10 innings. With the win, it ended the Tigers 12-game win streak and the Yankees’ four-game losing streak.
Tied 3-3 in the ninth after Miguel Cabrera got a home run over legendary saver Mariano Rivera, Brett Gardner hit an RBI single in the 10th on bases loaded and two outs. Jason Nix came in from third and got the Yankees the win.
For Rivera, it was his second blown save in three days–a first since April 5-6, 2005. At that time, it had he had blown saves on two straight days against division foe, the Boston Red Sox (70-48).
In seven innings on Friday, righty Ivan Nova (5-4) gave up one run. He got out of a tough spot in the first inning, leaving the bases loaded. He got in a good grove until Austin Jackson got a double. For the night, he had three doubles with four hits.
Over his last six starts, Nova has gone 3-2 (1.60 ERA) with 44 strikeouts. He said of his recent play via MLB.com, “I’ve been pitching really good. I’ve been feeling really good with all of my pitches, working both sides of the plate to righties and lefties, and getting quick outs.”
The Yankees will look for a second straight win as their three-games series continues on Saturday. A postseason for this team looks unlikely as they sit 10 games behind the Red Sox, just above .500 (.509) and seven games from the top Wildcard spot.
They are +3300 to win the AL East this year.
On Saturday, righty Phil Hughes (4-10) will take the mound for the Yankees, while righty Anibal Sanchez (9-7) takes the mound for Detroit.
It’s been almost a month since the Yankees have won two consecutive games and it won’t happen on Saturday as the Tigers bounce back for the win (-155, 8.5 o/u).
Red Sox lose 6-9 to Royals
The Red Sox suffered another loss on Friday against the surging Kansas City Royals (60-53), 6-9.
Justin Maxwell, after joining the Royals in a July 31 trade from the Houston Astros (37-77), was key to the win with a home run and a two singles in the sixth inning–this blew the game up with six runs.
The Royals have won three straight games and 15 of their last 17. They sit seven games over .500 and are 4 1/2 games behind in the Wild Card race.
Jake Peavy
As for the Red Sox, righty Jake Peavy (9-4) had his second start since coming over from the Chicago White Sox. He pitched for five innings and gave up six runs on 10 hits for the game.
Peavy said of his play via the Associated Press, “I just didn’t make a whole lot of consistent pitches. I had Maxwell 0-2 and threw him a changeup and he did a nice job (to start the sixth).You’ve got to win games when your offense scores six. I didn’t feel good stuff-wise or control-wise. They battled and put the ball in play for being as free-swinging as they are. My stuff wasn’t very sharp.”
The four-game series continues on Saturday with lefty Felix Doubront (8-5) vs. the Royals righty Jeremy Guthrie (12-7).
Looks like a Red Sox win (-126, 8.5 o/u).
