Yesterday was May 5, the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla in 1862, a victory in Mexico's struggle against occupation by France, celebrated as Cinco de Mayo (the 5th of May).
Actually, the Battle was not the most significant event in that struggle: France appeared to have won it the next year, before being overthrown in 1867. The holiday is celebrated much more in America, not so much by Americans of Mexican descent, but by Americans treating it the same way they treat St. Patrick's Day: A day to get drunk while wearing "cultural appropriation" clothes.
On Cinco de Mayo, the Yankees had the chance to celebrate Sinko de Astro.
At first, last night's rain made it look like the Yankees and the Houston Astros were not going to be able to play the 2nd game of their 3-game series at the new Yankee Stadium. But the game was started, and, at least for the 1st few half innings, the infield areas were receiving new mounds of dirt from the grounds crew, in the hopes of keeping things as dry as possible.
So the Astros would continue to face whatever abuse the Yankee Fans were willing to dish out. And they were willing to dish out plenty. Of particular note was what was directed at Jose Altuve, who was voted the American League's Most Valuable Player in 2017, with Aaron Judge finishing 2nd. Altuve is now known to have been a big part of the Astros' cheating, and yet, Judge still had a better year -- statistically. Of course, it was Altuve and the Astros who won the Pennant. But then, the MVP is an award for the regular season only.
But fans chanted, "Fuck Al-tu-ve!" when Altuve batted, or fielded a ball and "MVP!" when Judge was at bat. It didn't help Judge: He struck out 5 times last night. "The Golden Sombrero" is striking out 4 times in 1 game. Do it 5 times, and it's "The Platinum Sombrero." Many of the Yankees have picked up their game lately, but Judge has not been one of them.
Jordan Montgomery started for the Yankees, and was perfect for the 1st 2 innings. In fact, he and Astro starter Luis Garcia both struck out the side in the 2nd inning. Monty got into a jam in the 3rd, but pitched out of it.
The Yankees staged a 2-out rally in the bottom of the 3rd, when DJ LeMahieu was hit with a pitch (probably unintentionally), and Giancarlo Stanton, who has been absolutely smoking the ball lately, hit another home run. 2-0 Yankees.
The Astros struck back in the top of the 4th, by which point the rain had stopped. Montgomery allowed 3 straight singles to load the bases with nobody out. A grounder meant the Yankees could only get a forceout at 2nd base, so that was 1 run. Yuli Guerriel and Aledmys Diaz hit back-to-back doubles to give the Astros a 3-2 lead, although on Gurriel's double, Alex Bregman was thrown out at home plate. Being 2nd to Altuve as a target of Yankee Fans' wrath, the home crowd was very pleased with that.
Montgomery then got out of the inning, and pitched through the 6th without further damage. He wasn't very good last night, but he ate innings. Keeping the bullpen fresh has been a problem for the Yankees against the Astros, especially in October.
The Yankees staged another 2-out rally in the bottom of the 5th. Brett Gardner beat out a grounder, LeMahieu drew a walk, and Stanton singled Gardner home to tie the game. But then came one of Judge's strikeouts, ending the threat. The 7th inning looked like it might be the decisive one, as LeMahieu led off with a single and Stanton followed with a walk. But Judge struck out again, and Gio Urshela grounded into a double play.
Luis Cessa got into trouble in the top of the 7th, and Wandy Peralta, obtained in the Mike Tauchman trade, had to get him out of it. Jonathan Loaisiga pitched a 1-2-3 to of the 8th. Gleyber Torres led off the bottom of the 8th with a single. Clint Frazier drew a walk, and Tyler Wade pinch-ran for him. Aaron Hicks, who really needed a big hit, got it, singling Torres home with the go-ahead run.
Gary Sanchez was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with nobody out, so we can presume that it was not intentional. Gardner hit a sacrifice fly to score Wade. LeMahieu grounded out, but Stanton singled Sanchez home. Again, Judge ended the threat by striking out. Cliche Alert: But the damage was done.
Aroldis Chapman pitched what was probably his most satisfying inning since the 2016 World Series (for the Chicago Cubs, not the Yankees): He struck out Yordan Alvarez, got Carlos Correa out on a weak grounder, and struck out Gurriel to end it.
Yankees 6, Astros 3. WP: Loaisiga (3-1). SV: Chapman (7). LP: Brooks Raley (0-2). We beat the cheats again. It might not mean much as far as October is concerned, but it sends a message, and maybe we've gotten into the cheats' heads.
The series concludes this afternoon, with considerably better weather. Gerrit Cole starts against Lance McCullers Jr. Come on you Pinstripes: Complete the sweep!