This time, with Monday's rainout against the Baltimore Orioles rescheduled for the opener of a Wednesday doubleheader, I was sure that perfect record would end. However, another rainout last night, and a change in my circumstances for today, made it possible again.
But it only would be if I did something I've never done before, which is wrote the post for the opener while the game is in progress. You know, like a real sportswriter covering the game would have to do.
At any rate... Multiple Cliché Alert:
* Well, beat the drum, and hold the phone, the Sun came out today!
* It's a beautiful day for baseball!
* Let's play two!
J.A. Happ started the opener for the Yankees, and allowed single runs in the 1st, 2nd and 4th innings. But the Yankees played Dr. Longball again, with solo home runs by Gary Sanchez in the 1st inning, by Gleyber Torres and Cameron Maybin in the 2nd, and Torres again in the 4th. That gave the Yankees a 4-3 lead. Mike Tauchman added an RBI single to make it 5-3 after 4.
That was all the Yankees got, but that was all they needed. Happ settled down, and kept it 5-3 through the 6th. Between them, Adam Ottavino and Tommy Kahnle struck out the side in the 7th. Zack Britton pitched a perfect 8th, and Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless 9th.
Yankees 5, Orioles 3. WP: Happ (3-3). SV: Chapman (10). LP: David Hess (1-5).
I was hoping such weird bullpen management didn't come back to bite the Yankees in the nightcap. Officially, they were eligible for it, but would they have anything left? We shall see.