You would think that, with the cheating Houston Astros walking out of Yankee Stadium II, and the seriously struggling Oakland Athletics walked in, the Yankees would have an easier time of things.
You would think, but you would be wrong. At least, at first.
Jordan Montgomery got roughed up, allowing 5 runs in the 3rd inning. Aaron Boone left him in as long as he could, to preserve the bullpen. He brought Albert Abreu in during the 7th, and he pitched hitless ball the rest of the way.
Anthony Rizzo hit a home run in the 1st inning, and Giancarlo Stanton hit one in the 4th. But they were only solo homers. In the 5th, DJ LeMahieu drew a walk, stole 2nd, and came home on an Aaron Judge single, to close the Yankees to within 5-3.
The bottom of the 7th told the tale. In it, the Yankees had pretty much everything but a home run. With 1 out (made by Joey Gallo, as you might have guessed), LeMahieu drew another walk. Judge reached on catcher's interference. Rizzo was hit by a pitch to load the bases. And then Stanton... was also awarded 1st base on catcher's interference. Remember when Jacoby Ellsbury seemed to specialize in that? Better question: To paraphrase the broadcaster in Bull Durham, What was A's catcher Sean Murphy thinkin' about? 'Cause it sho' wasn't baseball!
The fun continued. Josh Donaldson doubled home Judge and Rizzo. Aaron Hicks lined out to right, too short to score Stanton. But Jose Trevino took care of that, and Donaldson, with a double. And Marwin González singled Trevino home.
That produced the final score: Yankees 9, Athletics 5. WP: Abreu (1-0). No save. LP: A.J. Puk (1-1 -- and, yes, that is his real name).
The series continues tonight. JP Sears starts for the Yankees, Frankie Montas for the A's.