Coming off a three game sweep in the inaugural home series against the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees look to carry their momentum into a four game set with the Philadelphia Phillies.
For (former Yankees’ manager) and current Phillies manager Joe Girardi, his ballclub is making a return from a long COVID-19 postponement stint dating back to July 27th.
Both sides eager to continue, the first game will be played at Yankee Stadium while the final three – a double header and night game – will be played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Game 1: Phillies 3, Yankees 6
Probables: Jake Arrieta (0-1) vs Gerrit Cole (2-0)
W/L: Cole / Arrieta
Looking to carry their momentum from a series sweep against Boston and add onto their six-game win streak, the Bronx Bombers came out of the games with force.
Beginning the scoring, leadoff hitter DJ LeMahieu scorched a pitch into the stands behind right field to put New York one to nothing early in the first.
Although not having his “A-Plus” repertoire, Yankees’ starter Gerrit Cole still went the length of six innings while allowing five hits, one walk and one run. Philadelphia’s Jay Bruce connected and homered to right for Cole’s only earned run. In the end, the right-hander earned the win in the ballgame.
On the offensive side for New York, the bats were scorching hot with production from throughout the lineup. Brett “The Hit Man” Gardner (2) added a solo home run to the score total in the third. Following, Aaron Hicks doubled to center which scored Aaron Judge. Just like that in a blink of an eye, New York was in the driver’s seat, up 3-1 in the third.
Adding three more to the total, NY’s Gio Urshela (3) sent a Delios Guerra heater into left center and over the wall, scoring Aaron Hicks and Giancarlo Stanton. This was the turning point in the game where the Yankees gained sole possession. Aaron Boone and co. were up big 6-1, after six.
Attempting to strike a comeback in the later innings, Phillies’ Adam Haseley connected on an RBI single to drive in Jean segura. And in the following inning, Segura himself did some damage to the score, driving in catcher J.T. Realmuto on an RBI single
But unfortunately for Phillies fans, this would not be enough to take down the Bronx Bombers while New York prevails, 6-3. Game one goes to the Yankees as the series shifts to Philadelphia.
Player of the Game: Gio Urshela: 1-4, HR, 3 RBI
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Game 2: Yankees 7, Phillies 11 F/7
Probables: J.A. Happ (0-0) vs Zach Wheeler (2-0)
W/L: Wheeler / Happ
In game one of a day-night doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park, the Yankees woke up on the wrong side of the bed as they allowed 11 runs in just seven innings. Yikes.
Yes, seven innings. To help shorten the pace of play, all double headers in 2020 are seven innings rather than the usual nine.
Anyway, it was the southpaw J.A. Happ recieved the opening nod for New York. Happ struggled early and missed locations more times than not. An ugly pitching line of 3 IP, 4 ER and six walks is how the left-hander ended his night.
For Philadelphia, it was the exact opposite for their starter, Zach Wheeler. The former New York Met dazzled against the strong Yankees lineup and ultimately secured the win in the high-scoring ballgame. After going 6 IP on 87 pitches, the Phillies were set up for success after Wheeler only allowed two earned runs and limited base runners.
Manager Joe Girardi and his offense ignited a four run third and a six run sixth as they pulled away to steal game two of the series. Home runs from Bryce Harper (2) and J.T. Realmuto (2) added three while the rest of Philadelphia’s runs came from walks, infield hits, fielder’s choices and bloop-shallow hits into the outfield.
Headed into the final inning of regulation, Philadelphia had a strudy lead of 11-3. But could they hold it until the end?
Comebacks and late inning rallies are no strangers to the motivated New York offense. A Thairo Estrada infield- single scored one. And scoring three more was none other than Aaron Judge (7)! Stay hot, captain!
A four run seventh was fun, but wasn’t enough for New York to come out on top. Your final in game one of the day-night double header: Phillies 11, Yankees 7.
Player of the Game: Aaron Judge: 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, R
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Game 3: Yankees 3, Phillies 1
Probables: Jonathan Loaisiga (1-0) vs Aaron Nola (0-1)
W/L: Ottavino / Hunter
In the second game of the day-night doubleheader, the Yankees were looking to get back on track after a crushing loss in game one.
With a fresh set of eyes in the game, the Yankees brought out Jonathan Loaisiga to open up the game. Only going 2.1 Innings, the right-hander held his own. Although tossing three hits, one run and three strikeouts is a strong performance, it was the bullpen that went the lengths of the game.
New York’s bullpen arms locked down the Phillies lineup in 5.2 innings, binding a combined zero hits allowed and four strikeouts. The game was single handedly won by the Yankees bullpen in game two.
Scoring three total runs in a pitching-favored game, Luke Voit (4) homered to put the Yankees on the board early.
Phillies’ Andrew Knapp drove in one on an RBI single, which was the only scoring production of the game for their ball club.
Driving in two in the top of the seventh, the bats of Mike Tauchman and Gio Urshela knocked in one a piece, which was the dagger in the pivotal win.
Earning his fifth save of the season, Yankees’ Zack Britton sealed the deal to a 3-1 win. Game three goes to New York with the rubber match on it’s way.
Player of the Game: Luke Voit: 2-3, HR, RBI, R
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Game 4: Yankees 4, Phillies 5
Probables: Jordan Montgomery (1-0) vs Zach Elfin (0-0)
W/L: Guerra / Montgomery
Taking the ball for New York and looking for the series win, Jordan Montgomery ran into some trouble early. Allowing three of the first four batters to reach base was a red flag for the left-hander.
Leaving a pitch in the zone, Philadelphia’s J.T. Realmuto capitalized and crushed it over the left field fence scoring Harper and Hoskins. Joe Girardi and the Phillies were up early, 3-0.
The second best Mike T. in the MLB, Mike Tauchman singled to center while Gardner and Urshela rounded home. Philadelphia still holding a one run lead, 3-2.
Putting more early runs on the board for Philly was Phil Gosselin. Scoring Harper and Realmuto, Gosselin’s double extended the Phillies lead to 5-2.
Jumping to the seventh, Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (1) showed life and clobbered a home run on a 1-1 count. This scored Urshela, but was not enough to push the rock over the edge in the ballgame.
The Yankees fall short 5-4 and split the series. New York advances to 9-3 while Philadelphia goes to 3-4.
Player of the Game: Mike Tauchman: 2-5, 2 RBI
Player of the Series: DJ LeMahieu: 6-12, RBI, HR, R
Next Series: Aug 7 – Aug 9 @ Tampa Bay Rays
Photo: Associated Press
