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New York Yankees Reaction: Pineda Strong, Four-Run Seventh Leads Winning Path

Michael Pineda got the job done on this night as the New York Yankees knocked off the Tigers in Detroit on a make up date.

  • New York Yankees: 5 (25-28)
  • Detroit Tigers: 4 (25-28)
  • American League, FINAL, Box Score
  • Comerica Park, Detroit, MI

The New York Yankees will head to Baltimore with a much better taste in their mouths following a make-up win in which they answered some pressing questions.

Not only did Michael Pineda perform, but the offense came alive in what turned into a nail-biter. 

The Bombers fell behind 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth when Justin Upton singled in Miguel Cabrera. Much of the same was transpiring for the Yankee offense and it appeared as if a long night was ahead.

That all changed when Rob Refsnyder, getting a spot start against a southpaw, doubled to lead off the sixth and break up Matt Boyd‘s no-hit bid. He moved up ninety feet on an Aaron Hicks fly ball and came around to score on another fly ball off the bat of Jacoby Ellsbury.

Michael Pineda, who came into the game with an 8.85 ERA over his past four starts, was able to work two outs into the sixth while keeping the score tied at one. The big right-hander struck out eight and walked none in his first stellar performance in quite some time.

Dellin Betances stranded the lone inherited runner Pineda tossed into his lap, and little did he know that would put him in line for a win.

The Yankee offense took a full 180 in the seventh inning. Back-to-back singles from Alex Rodriguez and Chase Headley to start the frame set the stage. After Austin Romine failed to move them over with a fielder’s choice, Rob Refsnyder picked up the slack with his second hit of the game. The base knock drove in Headley and gave the Yanks a 2-1 lead.

Refsnyder’s go-ahead base it pushed Matt Boyd out of the game. Bobby Parnell came on and promptly served up an RBI single to Aaron Hicks, scoring Romine from second.

The exclamation point of the inning, however, came off the bat of Jacoby Ellsbury. Kyle Ryan replaced Parnell and left an offering right in Ellsbury’s wheelhouse. He ripped it into the right field corner for a two-run triple that gave the Yankees breathing room and capped off an inning that no one in their right minds saw coming. When it was all said and done, the Yanks had a 5-1 advantage.

Betances came back out for the seventh and worked himself into trouble, allowing an earned run, but struck out Iglesias, Maybin, and Martinez in order to end the inning and prevent any further damage.

The second end of the three-headed monster, Andrew Miller, surrendered a two-out double to Ian Kinsler in the bottom of the eighth to score Miguel Cabrera. However, Justin Upton was cut down attempting to score as a Brett GardnerDidi Gregorius-Austin Romine relay was executed to perfection.

The lead dwindling, Aroldis Chapman was given the ball with a 5-3 lead looking to lock down his eighth save in eight tries. He immediately loaded the bases with the heart of the Detroit’s order due up. The flame thrower was asked to play the role of magician for the first time this season, and he played it effectively. J.D. Martinez hit a grounder towards the middle that Didi Gregorius glove flipped to Castro, who made a barehanded exchange to complete a double play.

Mike Aviles came across on the outstanding double play and Miguel Cabrera stood up as the Tigers’ last chance in a 5-4 game. With Iglesias waiting at third, Cabrera bounced one to the right side that Castro handled easily to end the ballgame.

It certainly was not pretty as ‘No-Run DMC’ turned into Three-Run DMC, but the Yankees hung on for a 5-4 win to snap their three-game losing skid.

Pivotal Defensive Plays

For kids who were watching at home, that is the way it is done. The eighth inning exchange between left-fielder Brett Gardner, shortstop Didi Gregorius and catcher Austin Romine exemplified how to execute a relay.

The second highlight worthy showing saved the ninth inning and the game for the Yanks. Maybe it is not the way you would teach it, but it was needed in order to turn two. The glove flip from Gregorius and the barehanded grab and throw from Castro was the epitome of a highlight-reel play.

On a night where all three big bullpen arms just were not themselves, the defense saved the day.

Ref catalyzes offense

Rob Refsnyder collected two vital hits to help uplift a lifeless Yankee offense. Starting with a left-hander on the mound, the 25-year-old doubled and scored a run in the sixth, and connected on an RBI single and later scored in the seventh.

If the Yankees can find a position for him, Refsnyder is making increased playing time inevitable.

What’s next?

Fresh off the win, the Yankees will head to Baltimore to cap off this ten-game road trip. The three-game set will represent an important opportunity for the Yanks to make up ground in the AL East.

Nathan Eovaldi (6-2, 3.71 ERA) will face off with Chris Tillman (7-1, 2.92 ERA) in the series opener.

Eovaldi has won his last five starts and is 6-0 with a 2.72 ERA in his last seven. His last start came at Tropicana Field, striking out seven over six innings of one-run ball in a victory.

Tillman has been similarly brilliant and has solidified an ‘ace status’ in the O’s rotation. He is 6-0 with a 2.33 ERA over his last seven starts and his coming off a winning effort in Cleveland.

First pitch tomorrow night will be at 7:05 pm ET from Camden Yards, can be seen on the YES Network, and heard on 660 WFAN/101.9 FM. ESNY will have a full, in-depth series preview with all that you need to know heading into the weekend set.

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