Coming off from an inactive stint due to COVID-19 game postponements, the Yankees travel to Atlanta for a day-night doubleheader. This marks the second time the two sides meet as New York took two of two in The Bronx Aug. 11 and 12.
Both sides are more than ready for action at Truist Park as ace Gerrit Cole will take on rookie Ian Anderson in game one, while New York’s Masahiro Tanaka will take on Braves’ Max Fried. Play ball!
Game 1 Final F/7: Yankees 1, Braves 5
Probables: Ian Anderson (0.0, -.– ERA) vs Gerrit Cole (4-0 2.75 ERA)
Win / Loss / Save: ATL – Anderson (1-0) / NYY – Cole (4-1)
Looking to start the doubleheader on a positive note with a momentum-building win, the Bronx Bombers led by Aaron Boone did quite the opposite in game one. New York falls 5-1 in a disappointing effort and many may emphasize it was a wakeup-call for the team. Only mustering two-hits, led by a Luke Voit (11) solo home run, the Yankees offense fell flat footed. Atlanta’s starter Ian Anderson was making his first major league start and dominated the star-studded New York lineup. A final line of a strong outing included 6.0 IP, H, ER, 6 K and 2 BB.
On the other side of the ball, New York’s Gerrit Cole had his worst outing of 2020 and his streak of 28 straight games without a loss was snapped. In 5.0 innings of work, Cole’s pitch count reached 103 pitches as he underwhelmed in his outing. Although striking out nine, the right-handed ace allowed 5 ER, 5 H, 2 BB and 3 HR. Cole will look for a bounce back outing as he is scheduled to start game four of the Yankees-Mets series.
The Atlanta offense was generated by solo home runs from Acuña Jr. (5), Ozuna (8), and a two-run shot from Swanson (4). To add insult to injury, a Nick Markakis double scored one more as that would be the dagger in the 5-1 Braves victory
In a disappointing and embarrassing performance, New York falls 5-1 and Atlanta takes game one.
Player of the Game: 1B Luke Voit: 1-3, HR, R
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Game 2 Final F/7: Yankees 1, Braves 2
Probables: Masahiro Tanaka (0-1, 4.60 ERA) vs Max Fried (4-0, 1.32 ERA)
Win / Loss / Save: ATL – Fried (5-0) / NYY – Green (1-2) / ATL – Melancon (5)
Another game, another loss for the New York Yankees. New York’s offense was nowhere to be seen and the only glimpse of hope was the start of Masahiro Tanaka in game two of the doubleheader in Atlanta. The right-hander Tanaka was strong against the top-tier Atlanta offense as he went 5.0 IP, 3 H, 4 K. After a strong five innings, the ball was handed to Chad Green to close the game down. Green, the go-to arm in the Yankees bullpen, left a fastball up in the zone that Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman (5) would go on and crush for a bottom of the sixth go-ahead two-run home run to put the Braves up, 2-1.
The Yankees solo scoring production came via a sacrifice fly from Tyler Wade which scored Miguel Andujar.
A very bland and miserable game concludes a poor showing from the Yankees in the double-header. Atlanta snags game two with a score of 2-1 and takes the double-header sweep.
Player of the Game: SP Masahiro Tanaka: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 4 K
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Player of the Series: 1B Luke Voit: 1-6, HR, R
Upcoming Series: Aug 28 – 30 vs New York Mets
Photo: MDJOnline.com
