About Last Night: NYY 5, KCR 2

By Ethan Semendinger

October 1st, 2023

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Later today is the last Yankees game they will play until Spring Training. That's disappointing.

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Quick Stats -

• Winning Pitcher: Frankie Montas (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

• Losing Pitcher: Alec Marsh (3-9, 5.69 ERA)

• Save: Clay Holmes (24)

• Home Runs (New York): None

• Home Runs (Kansas City): Salvador Perez (23)

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Big Story - The day after Carlos Rodon had an absolute meltdown on the mound by allowing 8 straight baserunners the Yankees decided the best course of action was to bring back the most infamous pitcher from last year.

If you can't believe it, I'm with you. But, before last nights game the Yankees sent down Randy Vazquez so that they could bring back Frankie Montas.

Now, I've spent a lot of time over the past years on this blog talking about the small things that the Yankees should- and arguably need to do- in order to help convince the fans and the players around baseball that they are a classy franchise. And a move of this caliber would- and arguably should- fit that mold of something that a proper franchise does. But, bringing back Frankie Montas to take the place of a rookie...that just leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

I can't help but not like this move.

The only thing gained by allowing Frankie Montas to pitch is to prove to a team that he'll be able to pitch again next year. Which, as an upcoming free agent he'd have plenty of time to do during his own bullpen sessions. The Yankees get absolutely nothing from this.

Instead, they sent down a promising pitcher, who loses out on considerable payments (relative to his minor league salary) and from getting to spend more time with the teammates he'll be playing with next year.

I just hope the Yankees front office doesn't get excited from Montas' return to the point of considering him an option to bring back on a multi-year deal. Don't dive deeper into a shallow pool, Brian. Allow a bad move to have it's ending.

Now with all that aside, let's get into the game.

Here was the line-up:

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Player(s) of the Game -

• Gleyber Torres: 2-4, 1 Run, 2 RBI's, BB

Notable Performances - A few offensive guys

• Clarke Schmidt: 4.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 3 K's

• Frankie Montas: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

• Ian Hamilton: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K

• Clay Holmes: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K's

• DJ LeMahieu: 2-4, Run, Triple, BB, 2 K's

• Kyle Higashioka: 2-5, Double, Run, 2 K's

Better to Forget -

• Nobody

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My Take - Well, Frankie Montas got the victory from last night. I should've seen that coming when I wrote up my pre-game rant for this post.

As per the game itself, however, was a high-hitting game. Both teams were able to rack-up double-digit hits on the night all while the Royals and Salvador Perez were the only ones able to put a ball over the fences.

The Yankees offense looked good as 4 different players (Oswaldo Cabrera, Everson Pereria, Estevan Florial, and Gleyber Torres) were able to plate some runs in the 4th and 6th inning. Those would be the only innings that the Yankees would place some runs across the plate though only had 2 extra base hits with a DJ LeMahieu triple and a Kyle Higashioka double.

On the pitching side, Clarke Schmidt found himself in trouble in the first and 3rd innings but was able to keep away from letting many runs come in. Even though he allowed 8 hits, he didn't allow a walk, which helps add to the adage that you can allow hits or walks but not both.

After Schmidt, the rest of the Yankees pitching staff was solid. A total of 5 baserunners was allowed across the final 5 innings of play with no additional runs sacrificed.

The Yankees also got their 82nd win on the year, which cemented their 31st STRAIGHT winning season, going back to 1993. (Though even if they win today, it will be their lowest win total in any of those winning seasons when all 162 games were played.)

With that win, though, I'm off to bed. It's late for me and I've got papers to grade tomorrow.

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Next Up - The Yankees pay their last game of the season this afternoon at 3:10 EST. The game will feature Michael King (4-7, 2.50 ERA) against Zack Greinke (1-15, 5.18 ERA) and will be broadcast on the YES Network.