The New York Yankees are still looking for their first sweep of 2016 and they turn to Michael Pineda to get it done.
- New York Yankees (20-22)
- Oakland Athletics (19-25)
- American League, 4:05, YES Network
- Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA
Well, here we are. They won six of their last eight games including this current four-game winning streak while owning the most wins in Major League Baseball since May 6.
They have averaged 5.3 runs per game in the last four games while hitting .290 and maintaining an ERA of 1.75. Don’t forget, the last four starting pitchers only surrendered one run the last four games. They turn to Michael Pineda to continue that stretch and propel the Yankees to a five-game winning streak.
There aren’t many of them here in 2016, but one of Big Mike’s best starts came against the Oakland A’s on April 19th. In his career against the A’s, he is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 9 K/9 in four starts.
In that outing, Pineda struck out seven while only allowing two runs in six innings of work. Since then, his ERA is a 9.38 in five starts.
Jesse Hahn, who will oppose Big Mike, returned from a demotion to the minor leagues and dazzled in 6.2 innings by only allowing three runs. He is still shaky, however, as he has allowed 21 hits in 18.2 innings and has surrendered three home runs in three starts.
The Yankees go for a fifth straight win and a sweep over the Athletics as Michael Pineda takes the mound pic.twitter.com/RjBNl4XYel
— NYYANKEENATION (@nyyankeenation) May 22, 2016
Player To Watch:
Carlos Beltran is the player to watch. Suprised? Don’t be.
The 39-year old is slashing .391/.391/.696 in the last seven games while driving in eight runs. He has totaled 16 bases and there is no doubt that he’s filling that designated hitter role to perfection.
Over his last 6 G, Carlos Beltran is batting .364 & slugging .818 with 2 HR, 10 RBI and 4 doubles ??? #YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/bvs8qWayQh
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 21, 2016
What Happened Yesterday?
On Saturday afternoon, the Yankees earned yet another victory by shutting down the Oakland Athletics by a score of 5-1.
Masahiro Tanaka reverted back to his methodical ace status by only permitting five hits and surrendering two walks across seven innings of one-run ball.
Offensively, most of the damage was done in the fourth inning as New York pounced on Manea for four runs. Carlos Beltran got the parade going with an RBI single.
Rob Refsnyder drove a two-run double into the gap in right-center field to score Mark Teixeira and Beltran to put the Bombers ahead 4-0. The at-bat by Refsnyder lasted 10 pitches as the utility man demonstrated the poise of a 10-year veteran.
Bold Prediction:
Pineda dazzles us with an A+ performance and continues the starting pitcher’s stretch of allowing just one run in their last outing.
