After a rough series with the Houston Astros, the struggling Oakland Athletics were just what the Yankees needed. Last night was the finale of their 3-game home series, and they teased us again, by falling behind early, and then coming back.
Jameson Taillon, as he did at home against the Astros the previous Thursday, allowed 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning. In the bottom of the 1st, DJ LeMahieu singled, and Aaron Judge hit a home run, to make it 3-2. In the 3rd, LeMahieu singled, Judge drew a walk, and Giancarlo Stanton hit a home run.
That made it Yankees 5, A's 3, and that would be the final. Taillon got through the 5th inning with no further damage. Lucas Luetge pitched a perfect 6th and 7th, Miguel Castro a scoreless 8th, and Clay Holmes a perfect 9th. WP: Taillon (9-3). SV: Holmes (14). LP: Cole Irvin (2-6).
The Yankees are now 9-0 this season, 25-1 overall, when Judge and Stanton hit home runs in the same game.
So the Yankees completed the sweep. The Magic Number to clinch the American League Eastern Division is now 75.
Tonight, the Yankees play the Astros in Houston, in one of the games that was postponed from the season's first week as a result of the settlement of the Spring Training lockout. The other two of that series will be made up as a doubleheader on Thursday, July 21. Tonight's starting pitchers are Luis Severino for the Good Guys, and Luis Garcia for the Cheats. (I had previously mistakenly listed this game as the first of a four-game series.)
Hopefully, they can win this game in Cheatland South, especially since, next month, they have to go back there, and to Cheatland North, Boston.
The Yankees have not, as was previously believed, activated Aroldis Chapman from the Injured List. That is now expected to happen tomorrow, to make him eligible for the next series, away to the Cleveland Guardians. Pitcher Ryan Weber has been brought up, but it may only be for tonight's game.