The Yankees scored three times in the 10th and Gerrit Cole pitched nine innings of one-run play as New York won its series opener against the Athletics 4-2 in Oakland.
With the win, the Yankees’ magic number to clinch the AL East is five. They still hold a four-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles, who won earlier in the game.
These are the main points…
-The turning point in this game was in that 10th inning. With Jasson Dominguez in second place as the ghost runner — he ran as a pinch-runner for Giancarlo Stanton earlier in the match – moved to third on a Anthony Rizzo single.
Juan Sotowho was removed from the starting lineup due to a sore knee, was a pinch-hitter for Trent Grisham. On the third pitch of the at bat, catcher Shea Langeliers couldn’t handle a fastball that went to the backstop, allowing Dominguez to score and give the Yankees a 2-1 lead. Soto would throw the next pitch the other way for an RBI double.
Anthony Volpe followed by an RBI single, scoring Jon Berti who went for Soto and put New York ahead 4-1.
–Lucas Weverthe Yankees’ de facto closer, allowed the ghost runner to score on a leadoff single in the 10th, but retired the next three batters to earn his third save of the season.
– Cole had his best start this season, pitching into the seventh inning for the first time and becoming the first Yankees starter to pitch into the ninth. A nice comeback start from that intentional walk game against the Red Sox.
Cole allowed just two hits and one walk in his nine innings. Those two hits? They came in the fourth when Malcolm Butler And Shea Langeliers hit two hits – including a stolen base – to give the Athletics a 1-0 lead.
The Yankees ace threw nine innings (99 pitches/66 strikes), allowing one run, two hits and one base hit while retiring seven batters.
-The Yankees struggled to reach Oakland’s starting player JT Ginn until the fifth. With two outs, Rizzo walked before Grisham — starting in center field — singled to put runners on the corners for Volpe. The Yankees shortstop went with the 83 mph slider and singled to right field to score Rizzo and tie the game at 1-1.
Volpe struggled, but finished 3-for-4 with two RBI.
-Now that Soto is no longer in the starting lineup, Aaron Boone went along Austin Wells In the No. 2 hole. It was the first time the young catcher had batted at that spot and he finished 0-for-5 with a strikeout.
Most Valuable Player of the Match: Gerrit Cole
This one could go to Volpe, who had three hits and two RBIs, but the Yankees won’t make it to the tenth inning without a dominant performance from Cole.
Highlights
What’s next?
The Yankees and Athletics continue their three-game set on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 9:07 p.m.
Carlos Rodón (15-9, 4.12 ERA) will be on the mound as the Athletics JP Sears (11-11, 4.24 ERA) to the bump.
