Whether it's via the HR or passed ball, these #Yankees now OWN the 9th Inning. pic.twitter.com/lm1QQBFK6f
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) June 30, 2016
On a passed ball, the New York Yankees picked up their second straight walk-off win to get back to .500.
- Texas Rangers: 1 (51-29)
- New York Yankees: 2 (39-39)
- American League, FINAL, Box Score
- Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
The New York Yankees showed resiliency in coming back to split a four-game set with the Texas Rangers, who possess the second best record in baseball. After a dramatic ninth inning last night, the Yanks walked it off again today with Chase Headley motoring across home plate on a passed ball by Robinson Chirinos.
Hey, it might not be the most climactic finish; it may not be the biggest storyline. However, the Yankees will take every win they can get as they try to make a push up the Wild Card and AL East standings.
After a nice, clean game, the Bombers will now head on a long road trip back at .500 with a great taste in their mouths. Michael Pineda dominated on the mound, allowing a mere two hits and one run over six strong frames while striking out 12.
#BigMike’s final line: 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 12 Ks. pic.twitter.com/kchQE7UUTT
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 30, 2016
Following him was the trifecta, the three-headed monster, the straight dominance. The three electrifying arms fired three combined scoreless innings to set up a bottom of the ninth where the Yanks would ultimately walk-off for a second straight day.
Yankees last had back-to-back walkoffs July 3-4 last year
— Jeff Quagliata (@yestoresearch) June 30, 2016
In the ninth, after Chase Headley led off with a walk, Didi Gregorius — who homered in the fifth to tie the game — laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt that proved to be a huge key. Headley moved up the 90 feet and eventually moved to third on Starlin Castro’s grounder to first.
With runners on second and third and two outs, Jacoby Ellsbury looked at a Tony Barnette offering that was simply missed by catcher Robinson Chirinos. As the ball rolled back to the screen, the Yankee third baseman raced home to move the club within three games of a playoff spot.
#WALKOFF! FINAL: #Yankees 2, Rangers 1. #StartSpreadingTheNews
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 30, 2016
Back-to-back walkoffs for the @Yankees in less than 24 hours.
Not a bad day. #YANKSonYEShttps://t.co/v1AVaTXxDO
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 30, 2016
A walk-off of a different kind today. Winning run scores on a passed ball, Yankees win 2-1
— wallace matthews (@OysterBayBomber) June 30, 2016
All things considered, the Yanks held their own against an extremely formidable opponent with their backs against the wall.
Big Mike is dealing
With an absolutely dominant performance on the mound, Michael Pineda’s ERA over his last six starts is a brilliant 2.75 and he has lowered his season’s ERA from 6.92 to 5.24 over that span.
In addition, the 27-year-old has struck out 49 over 36 innings pitched in the six outing stretch.
Betances is replacing Pineda for 7th. Big Mike was superb w/ 12 strikeouts in six innings and 1 run. He has a 2.75 ERA in his last 6 starts
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) June 30, 2016
He struck out at least one batter in each of his six innings this afternoon and struck out two or more in five of the six frames. A renewed ability to bury a devastating slider down and away and implement a changeup in unfavorable counts has resulted in the revival of the big right-hander.
Michael Pineda is only Yankee to have 12+ K and throw fewer than 100 pitches in a game since 1988 (when pitch data available)
— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) June 30, 2016
Beltran Pinch-Hits
In a tie game in the seventh, Carlos Beltran came off the bench to pinch-hit with the hope that he could run into one. The 39-year-old proceeded to walk and promptly exit the game in favor of a pinch-runner.
The lone fact of entering the game provides positive signs about his health. However, Joe Girardi stated that it did “not (mean) much”.
The Yanks simply wanted a presence and a potential go-ahead home run scenario. Beltran’s status for the weekend set in an NL park remains uncertain.
Joe Girardi told Carlos Beltran, "A double's a single, a triple's a double, and if you hit a home run you can run all the way around."
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) June 30, 2016
What’s Next?
The Yankees will head to the west coast to start a three-game weekend set with the San Diego Padres tomorrow night.
Struggling righty Nathan Eovaldi (6-5, 5.19 ERA) will get the ball for New York as he goes up against 25-year-old Colin Rea (4-3, 5.05 ERA).
First pitch will commence at 10:40 pm ET from Petco Park as the Yanks start a 10-game road trip leading directly up to the all-star break. The game can be seen on YES and heard on WFAN 660/101.9 FM. Stay tuned to ESNY for an in-depth pregame with all you need to know ahead of the series opener.
