Woo! pic.twitter.com/MGdrfvCiL1
— #WeAreSF (@SFGiants) July 24, 2016
The New York Yankees let a pivotal game slip out of their grasps, dropping one in extras to the San Francisco Giants in the Bronx.
- San Francisco Giants: 2 (58-39)
- New York Yankees: 1 (49-48)
- Interleague, FINAL (12), Box Score
- Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Following a promising win in the series opener, the New York Yankees were heading into the middle game riding high having won five of six on the home stand. Dropping a heartbreaker while wasting a superb Ivan Nova performance and four gritty, shutout frames from the three-headed monster was the ultimate worst case scenario.
Well, that is exactly what transpired Saturday afternoon into night in front of 46,727 at Yankee Stadium.
Not only did the Yanks miss an opportunity to gain ground in the postseason race, but they hurt their position as buyers or sellers at the deadline. A chance to create some major buzz was put to bed when Mac Williamson’s 12th inning RBI single got past the diving try of Didi Gregorius.
Mac Williamson had enough of extra-inning baseball.
Game-winning RBI for the @SFGiants over the Yankees.https://t.co/ciMfrFH8AH
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 24, 2016
To make matters worse, Joe Girardi’s team can only point the finger at their own situational hitting. They left 11 men on base in total and went an unacceptable 0-10 with runners in scoring position.
Simply put, that will not win you big games.
Win #58. Yes! pic.twitter.com/DiZEXydPuk
— #WeAreSF (@SFGiants) July 24, 2016
Mac Williamson fuels San Francisco as Giants defeat Yankees, 3-2, snapping a 6-game losing. pic.twitter.com/J49WhZbaW5
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 24, 2016
Extract The Positives
This loss was certainly a painful one at best. However, taking positives out of the contest can help ease the tension.
Ivan Nova was great in his seven inning performance. The right-hander allowed only six hits and one run while striking out seven and walking just two. He lowered his ERA from 4.92 to 4.65 in the process.
.@IvanNova47 had himself a day: 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 Ks. #LetsGoYankees pic.twitter.com/RVKcnRy9xB
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 23, 2016
If the Yankees want to continue what has been a stellar string of baseball, they will need consistent production from a guy who can be an outstanding number three option when on the mark.
Turning Point
In the bottom of the 10th inning, the Yankees loaded the bases with one out and provided themselves with a blatant chance to win the ballgame.
Following Brian McCann’s weak fly ball to left which failed to score a run, Starlin Castro flied one down the right field line in foul territory. With a clear opportunity to obstruct without interference being called, a fan made an absolutely weak and worthless effort as Mac Williamson squeezed it to retire the side.
This fan should be flat-out ashamed of himself. Come on man…is this Yankee Stadium, the Bronx anymore? #Yankees pic.twitter.com/uU3R5wPjbK
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) July 23, 2016
Who knows what would have been in store if Castro received a few more cracks?
What’s Next?
The Yankees and Giants will wrap up this three-game set tomorrow afternoon.
Nathan Eovaldi (8-6, 4.93 ERA) will take the ball for New York opposing Jeff Samardzija (9-5, 4.05), who will be on the bump for San Francisco.
First pitch will commence at 1:05 pm ET from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The game can be seen on YES and TBS, and heard on WFAN 660/101.9 FM.
