About Last Night: Yanks Win!

by Paul Semendinger

July 16, 2023

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About Last Night: Yankees Win 6-3 Over Rockies

The Yankees poured it on early last night. Boom. Bam. A triple. A double. A homer. They were all hitting. In the second inning, the Yankees scored five runs.

It looks good on paper.

I have pitched innings like the first two many times. You're not sharp, but you're not terrible, but boy the players around you didn't help.

In the first inning, Gleyber Torres hit a triple. In reality, the centerfielder misplayed it. Torres scored on a ground out by Giancarlo Stanton.

In the second inning, DJ LeMahieu hit a double that should have been a fly out to right field. Harrison Bader singled that inning on what should have been a pop out to short centerfield. Hey, it's tough to have to get three extra outs in the first two innings.

Connor Seabold, the Rockies' pitcher, though, then showed why he is having a bad year. He had two strikes on Kyle Higashioka. Higgy then hit a long sacrifice fly. He had two strikes on Gleyber Torres who eventually singled up the middle. He had two strikes on Giancarlo Stanton who hit a three-run homer to break open the game.

Hey, teams need the breaks to go their way - and they sure did for the Yankees in the first innings. If they're going to get back into the race, they'll need games like this.

After the second inning, the Yankees' bats got quiet, but Clarke Schmidt pitched another excellent game. He pitched into the seventh inning, allowing just two runs on only three hits. He struck out eight batters.

Quick Stats:

• The Red Sox lost yesterday, so along with the Yankees' win, they climbed out of last place.

• Giancarlo Stanton has homered in his last four games played

• Clarke Schmidt has won three of his last four starts

• Gleyber Torres had two hits

• D.J. LeMahieu had three hits

• Clay Holmes earned his 11th save

Big Stories:

The Yankees need to win games. They won last night. They scored early, they had a big inning, and they won.

There were Aaron Judge sightings before the game as he took batting practice and the reports are that he did fine. Might he be back soon?

Josh Donaldson seemed to get hurt on his last at bat and was removed from the game. He will go for an MRI. Might this be the last we see of Josh Donaldson?

Player of the Game:

Clarke Schmidt tuned in an excellent pitching performance. He was the player of the game - easily. His only real mistake was balking in a run in the first inning.

Notable Performances:

Giancarlo Stanton drove in his 1,000th career run last night.

Better to Forget:

I'd like to forget the Rockies' uniforms. Boy were they ugly. I fear the Yankees will do this soon. I don't understand the appeal of dressing a team in ugly uniforms. The Rockies dressed like a beer league softball team - and played like one as well.

My Take:

Clarke Schmidt pitched into the seventh inning. He allowed a lead-off homer to C.J. Cron and was lifted while still being under 90 pitches. I liked the move, keeping him out there, building some endurance. Schmidt has been very good of late and the Yankees need pitchers who can give the bullpen some extra rest. He has been, primarily, a "five and fly" guy. If he can pitcher deeper into games, that can only help the team.

This was a good win for the Yankees. They need to win games. The Rockies are a bad team and they player poorly, but in the end, teams have to win the games they play - and the Yankees did just that.

Next Up:

It'll be an afternoon game today. Gerrit Cole goes for the Yankees. The Yankees need Gerrit Cole to continue to pitch amazingly. The game will begin at 3:10 p.m.