New York Yankees

The New York Yankees continued their tear on the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night thanks to a satisfying power display. 

  • Los Angles Angels: 3 (26-32)
  • New York Yankees: 6 (28-30)
  • American League, FINAL, Box Score
  • Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Entering this series between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels, New York owned a 17-7 record against them at Yankee Stadium including five straight wins as the home team. Well, that number has hit seven after Tuesday’s 6-3 win.

The starting pitcher for the boys in pinstripes was Michael Pineda who pitched into the seventh inning for the first time here in 2016. He went seven innings while allowing only three runs on four hits and a homer.

Although it’s still astronomical, Big Mike’s ERA has dropped from 6.92 on May 28 to 6.14 after his second consecutive quality start.

Homering for the second consecutive game were Carlos Beltran and Starlin Castro. In last night’s come from behind win, Castro had hit a solo jack to tie the game and Beltran delivered a go-ahead three-run shot to help the Yankees win the opening game of this four-game set.

Tonight in his first at-bat, the 39-year old cranked a home run, with Rob Refsnyder on base, into the seats in left for the seventh time in 18 games to kick-off the scoring and give the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

It was also extra-base hit number 1,000 for Beltran which makes him the 38th player all-time and fourth switch-hitter to record 1,000 career extra-base hits.

Later that same inning, Austin Romine slapped a soft line drive into left to score Castro to extend the Yankees’ lead to three.

Following a Refsnyder sac fly in the bottom of the second, “Darlin’ Starlin” came up in the bottom of the third and cranked one down the line in right off David Huff. Thankfully, it stayed fair and banked off the right field foul pole to throw the Yankees up 5-0.

The Angels wouldn’t go quietly, though, as Kole Calhoun made it a ballgame again after hitting a two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning off of Pineda.

The short porch in right certainly helped, as the dinger just got over the leaping effort of Beltran. Calhoun finished the day 1-for-4 and his lone hit pulled the Angels within two.

Despite the fact that Los Angeles pulled in within two, an Alex Rodriguez RBI single followed by the back end of the bullpen wasn’t a helping factor in their comeback aspirations. 

Dellin Betances relieved Pineda and struck out two followed by Andrew Miller recording his seventh save of the year en route to closing out a 6-3 New York Yankees victory. 

It was the Yankees’ 20th win against them since the start of 2010 and gives the Bombers a chance to win their first series since May 29 tomorrow night.

Roster Moves:

Prior to today’s ballgame, the Yankees signed Anthony Swarzak to a major league contract and selected him from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Additionally, they optioned Luis Cessa to Triple-A and designated Tyler Olson for assignment, according to the PR Department.

Remembering A Legend:

Today, former Yankees’ catcher, captain, and legend Thurman Munson would have been 69 years old. Munson maintained a .292/.346/.410 slash line during his 11-year tenure in the Bronx that ended tragically by a plane crash in Summit County.

The seven-time all-star also got it done during the big stage of postseason play as he maintained .357 batting average, totaled a .874 OPS, cranked three home runs, and drove in 22 RBIs in 30 games.

Munson served as a leader for the Yankees’ back-to-back World Series wins in 1977 and 1978. Despite the wonderful statistics, he was known as an incredible leader that knew how to get the most out his ballclub.

Let the words on his monument in Monument Park do all the talking: “Our captain and leader has not left us, today, tomorrow, this year, next … Our endeavors will reflect our love and admiration for him.”

What’s Next:

The Bombers will look for the series win against the Halos tomorrow night at the stadium and will be relying on Nathan Eovaldi to get it done.

Unfortunately for Nasty Nate, his five-start winning streak came to an end last time out against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night after earning a no-decision. Nevertheless, the hard-throwing righty has not been defeated in eight starts.

In his career against the Angels, Eovaldi owns a 2-1 record with a 3.60 ERA and has surrendered 26 hits in his four starts against them.

Opposing him, and the man standing in the Yankees’ way of a three-game win streak, is the 33-year old Jered Weaver. The righty has six quality starts in his last 11 outings. In 15 career starts against New York, he owns a 5.83 ERA.

The contest will commence at 7:05 PM ET with the pregame beginning on the YES Network at six.

NEXT: Carlos Beltran Defying Father Time