Snell (5-8) allowed three runs, six hits and three walks in his second-shortest start this season. Resurgent New York plays 20 of its remaining 23 games against division opponents, putting it in position to compete despite selling off key pieces at the August 1 deadline.
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The eighth-inning IBB-turned-sac-fly plated the Yankees’ fourth run of the night, though it very almost brought in even more than that.
Tanaka takes a five-game winning streak to the mound Saturday afternoon when the Yankees continue their playoff pursuit in the third contest of a four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium.
Mark Teixeira hit a grand slam and the Yankees’ bullpen held off a Rays comeback, as NY won its sixth consecutive game, 7-5, to pull within one game of a playoff spot.
NY was ahead 3-0 before Morrison and Souza hit consecutive home runs in the fourth.
That’s how good things are going for the rookie – and his team, too.
Rookie Tyler Austin hit a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the New York Yankees their season-high fifth straight victory, 5-4 over the Tampa Bay Rays.
It was certainly another good win for the Yankees.
The Yanks are just two games behind the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox with 21 to play and will remain a game back for the second wild card heading into Sunday. The Yankees have a 15-54 record when opponents outhit them.
New York’s Michael Pineda allowed two runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings. It has been a roller-coaster season for Archer who now sits at 8-18 on the year with a disappointing 4.05 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.
Gary Sanchez has spent the last few weeks treating big-league baseball like a glorified softball league, hitting.341/.417/.707 with 12 home runs in 32 games.
Completing the feat were Yankees catcher Brian McCann, Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier and Rays outfielder Steven Souza, with each player contributing two apiece.
“I knew they were going to walk me”, Sanchez said through a translator.
“We are doing whatever it takes”, Girardi said. Unexpectedly, the first pitch crept back into the strike zone where it was pummeled by Sanchez to deep centerfield. “Give him one more day from having to throw”, Cash said.
Romero said his hand was sweaty and the ball started to slip.
“I remember my first one, ” he said, “and this may be the last”. “If they see that the runner is taking a big lead, there’s a sign, and they’ll let me know and I’ll make the throw”.
Up to a point, that is.
“It’s an exciting time for all of us in the dugout when he comes back, similar to Alex Cobb”, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. Gary Sanchez made it back-to-back home runs with his second homer in as many days, and the Yankees had breathing room with a 3-0 advantage.
Richard (2-3) was sharp as he scattered six hits, walked two and had eight strikeouts. He left in the eighth after Bobby Wilson homered with one out and Logan Forsythe was hit by a pitch.
The Rays are 6-2 in their last eight game threes of a series, and 4-10 in their last 14 Saturday games. The Yankees have a record of 39-17 when opponents’ pitchers have six strikeouts or less. Ellsbury in his career is 19-for-34 against Archer with two homers.
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“Just a day for both of them”, Girardi said, who also said beforehand the bullpen would be without Dellin Betances and Luis Severino because of recent workloads.
