Source: FanGraphs
The Yankees were three outs away from being swept (in a two-game series) by the Cubs on Wednesday afternoon, but then the Cubs remembered they’re the Cubs. A ninth inning rally tied the game at two and a 13th inning rally gave New York a 4-2 win. They grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat. That’s always a blast.
I didn’t see Wednesday’s game because it was inconveniently timed, but I did watch the highlights of the game-winning rally, so let me say: Preston Claiborne’s bunt turned the season around. He moved the runners to second and third with one out in the 13th, eventually allowing Brendan Ryan to score on a wild pitch. Future Cub John Ryan Murphy (probably) singled in an insurance run. Ichiro Suzuki’s potential double play ball in the ninth led to a Darwin Barney error, which allowed the game-tying run to score. The Yankees were held without an extra-base hit for the first time this season, and they’re the last team to do that.
Chase Whitley allowed just one run in 4.1 innings (71 pitches) before getting yanked, which is something of a problem. The Yankees really need to get some more length out of their starters. Limiting Whitley and Vidal Nuno to 80-ish pitches every fifth day is a good recipe for a worn out bullpen. Anyway, literally every reliever pitched, including five outs apiece for Dellin Betances, Matt Daley, and Claiborne. The relievers combined for a dozen strikeouts in 8.2 innings. It got a little hairy at different times, but they worked through it.
MLB.com has the box score and video highlights, FanGraphs some other stats, and ESPN the updated standings. The Yankees are done with the Cubs but they will remain in Chicago and open a four-game series with the White Sox on Thursday. Chris Sale will unfortunately come off the disabled list to start the series opener while David Phelps get the ball for the Bombers.
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