Despite hitting two home runs, the New York Yankees offense disappointed yet again as New York dropped the series against the Oakland Athletics.
- Oakland Athletics: 5 (8-7)
- New York Yankees: 2 (5-8)
- American League, FINAL, Box Score
- Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
By Christian Kouroupakis
The New York Yankees were taken care of rather easily on Wednesday night. Oakland Athletics’ starting pitcher Kendall Graveman shut down the dreary offense in route to a 5-2 Oakland Athletics victory.
Graveman tossed 6.1 innings of one run ball while only allowing three hits and striking out eight.
His superb performance was supported by big games from Chris Coghlan and Josh Reddick to hand the Yankees their third series loss in a row.
The only offense tonight came from Didi Gregorius and Carlos Beltran who both hit solo home runs. Unfortunately, the opportunities just weren’t there for them to win the game.
Thanks to porous offensive performances, the Yankees have lost six of their last eight and currently sit in the cellar of the American League East.
FINAL: Athletics 5, #Yankees 2.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 21, 2016
You Don’t See That Every Day:
In the bottom of the fourth, Oakland relinquished their designated hitter when DH Jed Lowrie was placed at the second base position.
According to the rule, Kendall Graveman was placed in the cleanup spot in the lineup. He became the first pitcher to bat since Sean Henn on July 22, 2007, and the first starting pitcher to step to the plate since Jim Lonborg on Oct. 4, 1972.
Graveman was also the first pitcher to bat at the New Yankee Stadium.
Kendall Graveman is the first starting pitcher to bat at the current Yankee Stadium.
— Oakland Athletics ??⚾️ (@Athletics) April 21, 2016
Bone Head Play Of The Day:
In the bottom of the seventh with the A’s up 3-1, the Yankees were in business with runners on second and third with only one out.
Aaron Hicks hit a chopper to third baseman Chris Coghlan and for some unknown reason, Didi Gregorius (who was on second) broke for third.
Coghlan tagged out Gregorius and threw across the diamond to complete the double play to end the inning. It undeniably killed any momentum the Yankees would have for the rest of the ballgame.
1️⃣2️⃣? pic.twitter.com/4oS3OJ7yPD
— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) April 21, 2016
Play Of The Day:
This is why the Yankees traded for Aaron Hicks.
In the top of the fourth inning with one out and runners on the corners, Yonder Alonso skied a high fly ball in left that appeared deep enough to score Danny Valencia.
Not on Hicks’s watch.
He made the catch running forward and then fired a one-hop strike into the glove of Brian McCann to nab Valencia to end the inning.
According to Statcast, his throw was clocked at 105.5 MPH which is the fastest ever recorded by Statcast.
These #Yankees just know how to #CutYouDown.https://t.co/BsU32kR2Yu #LetsGoYankees pic.twitter.com/iwSUODZDFs
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 21, 2016
What’s Next:
The Yankees will try to avoid being swept by he A’s tomorrow night at the Stadium. Luis Severino will get the starting nod with Rich Hill opposing him.
Many do not remember, but Rich Hill played with the Bombers in 2014. In 14 relief appearances that year, he had a 1.69 ERA with nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched.
However, that’s completely irrelevant. Thus far in 2016, he is 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA and actually leads the league in hit by pitches.
After giving up three runs on ten hits in five innings of work in his first outing against the Detroit Tigers, he put together a similar line in Friday night’s loss.
In 5.2 innings, Sevy surrendered four runs (all earned) on eights hits and only struck out two batters.
It’s way too early to say if Severino is about to struggle all year, but his season ERA is at 5.91 and his dominant arsenal is being figured out by his opposition.
First pitch will be at 7:05 with complete coverage beginning at six on the YES Network.
