New York Yankees Obliterate Houston Astros Bullpen in 13-4 Win
Jun 30, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New York Yankees players celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees pummeled the Astros Bullpen thanks in part to a Brett Gardner Grand-Slam. 

  • New York Yankees (43-35): 13
  • Houston Astros (54-27): 4
  • American League, FINAL, Box Score.
  • Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX

The Houston Astros surrendered a total of 9 runs to the New York Yankees. Lance McCullers Jr was effective, but the Yanks did a good job of getting him out early in this huge series opening win.

The Astros got the party started early against Michael Pineda. Jose Altuve lofted a sacrifice fly to center field scoring George Springer and giving the Astros an early 1-0 lead. This was not the start that the struggling Bombers were looking for.

Both McCullers and Pineda shut down their respected opponents in the second inning, but not in the third. Didi Gregorius lined a clutch two-out double down the right field line scoring Brett Gardner tying the game at one. Didi’s RBI was his 32nd of the season.

The tie game didn’t last very long as the Astros broke the tie in the bottom of the fourth inning. Carlos Beltran grounded out to second base, but the Yankees decided to keep the infield back which allowed Altuve to score giving the Astros a 2-1 lead. However, the Astros weren’t done yet. Marwin Gonzalez grounded a base hit up the middle scoring Carlos Correa, and the Yankees would trail by two.

But in the top of the sixth inning, the wheels would come off for the Astros. As soon as McCullers exited the ball game, the Yankees didn’t hesitate to pounce on. Ronald Torreyes opened scoring for the Yankees when he lined a base hit to left field scoring Gardner and cutting the Astros lead to just one run. Chris Carter (yes Chris Carter) tied the game at 3 for the Yankees when he lined a shot off the glove of Carlos Correa scoring Romine.

But the Yankees refused to be satisfied with a tie ball game. Jacoby Ellsbury and Gardner lined a pair of RBI Singles for the Yankees which allowed them to take a 5-3 lead. The Bombers added another run on a wild pitch thrown by Michael Feliz when walking Aaron Judge which allowed Gardner to score and extend the Yankees lead to 6-3.

Houston failed to answer in the Seventh, but the Yankees didn’t fail to pour it on when Brett Gardner delivered the exclamation point to the Astros. Gardner crushed a huge Grand Slam to right field putting the Astros out of reach of coming back in this game. Gardners Grand Slam was his 15th homer of the year, and it gave the Yankees a 10-3 lead.

The Astros added on a garbage time run in the eighth, and the Yankees poured on three meaningless runs in the ninth off of outfielder and the pitcher at the time Nori Aoki. The final score would be 13-4 Yankees.

YANKEES OFFENSIVE OUTBURST:

The Yankees offense broke out at the correct time which allowed them to snag a win on the road against the Best team in the MLB. Michael Pineda also was very effective, but the Yankees offense is what propelled them to victory.

CLINT FRAZIER CALLED-UP:

Clint Frazier has finally received the call he’s been waiting for all of his life. He will be playing for the New York Yankees tomorrow night in Houston and may be making his major league debut. Frazier is the Yankees second-ranked prospect.

WHATS NEXT?

The Yankees will be back in Houston tomorrow for the second game of a three-game set against the Astros. Jordan Montgomery will try to get the Yankees a big series win.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET, will be telecasted on FOX and broadcasted on WFAN 660/101.9 FM.