Just when it seemed like the Yankees had left their bats in Milwaukee, they came alive in the bottom of the ninth Friday, scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Tigers, 2-1, in the Bronx.
The rally came out of nowhere, as the Yankees were completely shut down for eight innings after a rather quiet series in Baltimore, where they scored just six runs in four games.
The Yankees were particularly quiet on Friday, with only two singles until the ninth.
Aaron Judge led off with a single up the middle against Jason Foley and Alex Verdugo followed with a hit down the third base line.
Giancarlo Stanton, who struck out his first three, hit a double to right to drive in Judge and tie the game at 1-1.
Anthony Rizzo followed with a single through a no-hitter infield to win it and allow the Yankees to avoid a fourth loss in five games.
After scoring 15 runs in back-to-back games against the Brewers last week, the Yankees finally got their offense going just in time.
This helped the Yankees enjoy a good night from the pitching staff.
Marcus Stroman, after a rough start against the Brewers, allowed just one run in 5 ¹/₃ innings despite other command issues.
The only run he gave up came on a loaded walk to Colt Keith in the sixth.
Detroit right-hander Reese Olson had allowed two or fewer earned runs in all but one of his starts Friday and was impressive against the Yankees.
He held the Yankees scoreless in his five innings and, at one point, retired nine Yankees in a row before Austin Wells tied the game with two outs in the fifth.
Detroit’s bullpen kept the Yankees down until the ninth.
Detroit had a runner in scoring position in each of the first three innings, but failed to score.
Stroman, meanwhile, allowed just two singles and two walks before Riley Greene opened the sixth with a hit to right center.
Wenceel Perez walked with one out, prompting pitching coach Matt Blake to go to the mound.
Stroman then walked Kerry Carpenter to load the bases for Keith.
After trailing Keith, 0-2, Stroman walked the collapsed second baseman to force the first run of the game and end Stroman’s night.
The walk to Keith was Stroman’s fifth of the game, tying a season high he had set in his previous outing – a start that lasted just four innings.
With the bases still loaded, Ian Hamilton came in and sniffed out Spencer Torkelson, then asked Zach McKinstry to ground out to keep the game one run.
Olson left after five scoreless innings, replaced by Alex Faedo.
The right-hander fanned Anthony Volpe, Juan Soto and Judge in order.
Detroit loaded the bases again in the seventh and left-hander Victor Gonzalez got pinch hitter Matt Vierling to ground out to end the threat, as Detroit fell to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.
Verdugo led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk and Rizzo walked with one out.
Gleyber Torres, down to seventh in the lineup, bounced into a double play in the bottom of the inning.
It was the 40th double play the Yankees have turned into this season, most in the majors.
New York Post
