Introducing Saturday’s dancehead, the Rays were up for running, so they gladly accepted the multiple chances to score provided by bolts of wildness by Yankees pitchers in Game 2.
Mike King, Luis Avilan and Albert Abreu combined to put out nine walks and hit a bat, which helped the Rays jump the Yankees, 5-3, and get a split after winning the Bombers Game 1.
Two of those walks scored, as did the hitbatsman.
In his first start of the big league, King gave up three consecutive two-out walks in the first inning when a free pass forced Yoshi Tsutugo into a run. After settling into the second and third frames, the right hinger ran two more with two outs and the bases loaded. Avilan filled the bases for Austin Meadows and dumped a two-run single to the left.
‘I felt numb. I came down 1-0 for anyone who is not a good recipe for success, ” King said of the first inning, throwing 32 pitches. ‘I’m frustrated with myself. I leave the referee [Vic Carapazza] get in my head. I threw a 2-2 pitch to Willy Adames [in the fourth] which was actually a ball and I thought it was a strike, and I could not come back. ”
It was the premier class debut for Abreu, who gave up two runs, three hits, two rounds and hit a bat. Abreu, the Yankees added the right-hander as the ’29th man’ ‘for the doubleheader, was returned to the alternative side after the second game.
Gary Sanchez also struggled, hitting just at .086. (3-for-35), and shortstop Gleyber Torres, who went a combined 2-for-6 on Saturday, just hit .146.
In the previous seven games, Giancarlo Stanton hit .095 (2-for-21) with a .439 OPS and had whiffed seven times. But Stanton had a solid doubleheader on Saturday, going 3-for-4 with two walks and an RBI before leaving Game 2 with a hamstring injury.
Aroldis Chapman threw a bullpen session on Saturday on the alternate side at Scranton, and if he comes out of that well, the plan for the Yankees’ closer to those live hits.
Zack Britton has gone 5-for-5 in saving fill-in situations for Chapman, who is on the COVID-19 IL.
The Yankees placed back-catcher Kyle Higashioka on the 10-day IL with a tight right shoe and replaced him with Erik Kratz. Had Chris Iannetta reported to the alternative side of the Yankees when he was founded on August 4, he might have received the call to make Sanchez. Iannetta did not report and was placed on the restricted list.
Manager Aaron Boone would not comment on why Iannetta was on that list. A report from Saturday said Iannetta was retiring. Iannetta was on the 30-man list and was nominated for commission on August 1st
“No. I’ll leave it at that point, ” when asked why Iannetta was on the restricted list.
As for Higashioka, Boone hopes the Yankees do not look forward to a long stay at the IL. Higashioka is scheduled for an MRI on Monday.
‘I knew he had a bit of trouble on Thursday and then thought it was something he thought he could work through and then (Friday) it was a bit tighter then we were comfortable going along as a hitter,’ ‘Boone said of Higashioka, who played in three games and went 2-for-9 (.222). “Hopefully we have it a little bit ahead and we’ll see how the next few days go.” ‘
According to Boone, there was no specific incident that caused the scratch problem.
As for the 40-year-old Kratz, this is his third stint with the Yankees’ organization. He has played in nine careers for nine major league teams. Kratz was eligible to be put on the roster because he has been on the Yankees’ taxi team in Philadelphia since Thursday night.
‘Of course we needed a catcher and (Kratz) is the next man. (Kratz) is really good behind the plate. Really good control of a pitching staff, running a game and having a lot of experience, ” said Boone of Kratz, who started the second game and went 1-for-3 with a double. ‘Very nice with Erik coming in and being a participant.’ ‘
The Yankees named substitute striker Thairo Estrada and designated relief Nick Tropeano for assignment prior to Game 1. They then named Estrada on the alternate side between games and repeated pitcher Ben Heller.
Kratz has been on the alternative side of the Yankees, where he caught Deivi Garcia and Clarke Schmidt from high pitching prospects and was not hesitant about how the referees hit.
‘They are ready to go. There is no other way to say it. They are ready to go and there are a lot of really good arms out there, ” Kratz said of the daily workouts held at the Yankees’ Triple-A facility in Scranton. ‘What you saw in spring training is what you will get. They do the same thing there. ”
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