Yesterday, the Yankees had what may end up being a Pyrrhic victory.
They hosted the Kansas City Royals, and Masahiro Tanaka pitched very well, going 7 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 3 walks, striking out 7. Jonathan Holder pitched the last 2 innings, continuing to not pitch well, allowing a run.
That didn't matter, because the Yankees got the runs they needed to win, and then some. Aaron Judge hit a home run in the 1st inning, Clint Frazier hit one in the 2nd, Mike Tauchman hit one in the 4th, and DJ LeMahieu hit one in the 5th.
So, 4 home runs and a very good performance by the starting pitcher. No problem, right?
Wrong. Judge singled to right in the 6th, but when he got to 1st base, he bent over as if he was hurt. On the video, it sounds like the fans in The Stadium collectively said, "Oh, no!" at the thought of their most popular player joining the many Yankees on the Injured List. The instant replay showed that he may have injured an oblique muscle in his swing. He was taken out of the game, and slowly walked back to the dugout. A microphone picked up his yell of, "Fuck!"
Yankees 9, Royals 2. WP: Tanaka (2-1). No save. LP: Heath Fillmyer (0-1). In spite of all their injuries, the Yankees are back to .500 at 10-10.
It sure doesn't feel like a victory. It feels like half the team is injured. As if Marvel Comics villain Thanos snapped his fingers, and eliminated half the team. And now, Aaron Judge says, "Mr. Cashman, I don't feel so good."
Then again, today is Easter, a day that celebrates new life, and revived hope. Maybe Judge won't be out as long as we think.
We hope.
The teams conclude their series this afternoon. James Paxton starts against Jorge Lopez.