McKinney HR Only Run Severino Needs Against Texas

 

The Yankees took 2 out of 3 from the AL West leading Texas Rangers this past weekend in another much needed series win. In game 1 the Yankees struck first against Dane Dunning (6-1) in the 2nd inning with a double by DJ LeMahieu (.230) and an RBI from Billy McKinney (.302). Clarke Schmidt (2-6) had a much needed strong outing using his much improved cutter, pitching 5.1 with no earned runs; but an error by Isiah Kiner-Falefa led to a run by Texas in the 4th. Schmidt was taken out in the 6th after allowing a single with 2 outs, while Dunning pitched into the 8th holding off the Yankee bats, allowing just 3 more baserunners after the 2nd. 

 

The game remained tied until the 8th when reliever Clay Holmes gave up a go ahead RBI single to Mitch Garver. But New York answered back with leadoff singles by Kiner-Falefa and the red-hot McKinney, followed by a sacrifice fly from Kyle Higashioka, which tied it up. The game reached extra innings and closer Michael King (1-4) was handed the ball for the top of the 10th where he gave up a 2-run homer to leadoff hitter Adolis Garcia. Josh Barlow closed out the Yanks in a disappointing 1-2-3 bottom of the 10th, resulting in a 4-2 Yankees loss.

 

Game 2 was a quiet offensive game as New York shut out Texas, winning 1-0 and tying the series. Both starters, Luis Severino (1-3) and Jon Gray (6-3) pitched well, throwing a combined 11 innings with only a run allowed. A long solo shot from McKinney, who continues to prove himself to be a valuable asset to the Yankees, gave New York the 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 4th. The 28-year old outfielder, who played with the team back in 2018 before being traded to Toronto for all-star pitcher J.A. Happ is looking to become an integral part of New York’s struggling line-up. As a replacement for Aaron Judge through only 16 games, he is already emerging as an unlikely offensive powerhouse for the Yankees who continue to miss their reigning MVP.

 

In the final game of the series, Yankees’ ace and Cy Young candidate Gerrit Cole (8-1) struggled in his shortest start of the season, giving up a season high 9 hits and pitching through only 4.2. Leadoff hits by Marcus Semien and Cory Seager in the first 2 at bats of the game gave the Rangers an early 1 run lead. Semien also made a diving catch in the bottom of the inning to double up Gleyber Torres. Catcher Jonah Heim hit a 2-run bomb (11) off Cole in the top of the 2nd and Leody Taveras followed with an RBI double to make it 3-0. New York answered back in the bottom of the inning as Giancarlo Stanton led off with a walk and Jake Bauers and LeMahieu followed with consecutive doubles, which scored 2. The game remained 3-2 until the 8th, with the Yankees mustering just 1 hit through 5 innings. Leadoff hits by Anthony Volpe (his only hit of the series) and Jose Trevino, followed by a double by Harrison Bader, gave the Yankees the lead in the bottom of the 8th. Stanton added an RBI single to give New York a 5-3 lead, as the team escaped with a come from behind win to take the series. Stanton was previously 0-10 with RISP before driving in Anthony Rizzo since coming back from injury.

 

The Yankees bullpen was great as they were able to hold the Rangers at 3 runs, allowing 3 more hits through 4.1. In his last 10 appearances, middle-man Ron Marrinaccio has given up zero earned runs after some struggles in May. The Rangers did get 9 runners on base on 7 hits after the 2nd – 4 coming off Cole – yet failed to score again. New York looks to win their 3rd consecutive series as they start a 6 game roadtrip against the Oakland Athletics, who have the worst record in baseball. They are now 8-10 since Judge sprained his toe in early June.