Yankees Avoid Series Sweep at the Hands of Dodgers

The New York Yankees took the final game of the series to avoid the sweep against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It seemed like this recent series between both the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers was going to be a World Series preview. Unfortunately for the AL side, Los Angeles took the series in the Bronx against one of baseball’s best. It also marks the first time since Sept. 12-14 of 2016 that the Dodgers won a series in the Bronx.  Even so, it was a fun one to watch regardless of rooting interest.

Dynamic Pitching Duo

The series opener featured an interesting pitching matchup that included RHP Cody Poteet and offseason signing RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The two were going at each other, throwing scoreless inning after scoreless inning. Neither team could find a way to score until the extra innings arrived. What also made this game interesting is the fact that Yamamoto was able to dominate this star-studded lineup that includes OF Aaron Judge and DH Giancarlo Stanton. He wasn’t afraid to throw strikes at the lineup as he dominated through seven shutout innings. Though he didn’t get the win, it was still an impressive outing coming from a pitcher in his first season pitching in Major League Baseball.

Then there was Poteet. He was not supposed to start this game at all. RHP Clarke Schmidt was the original starter but then got hurt not too long ago. Poteet’s first start in the majors came in Cleveland back in April, where he started one of the doubleheader games, earning himself the win. It was his first win of the season. In his most recent start against the Dodgers, he got a no decision. The offense couldn’t bring him any run support, which explains getting the no decision. The bullpen from both sides would take care of the rest of the work.

The scoring of the game would not begin until the top of the 11th inning. With two men on, OF Teoscar Hernández would give Los Angeles the late lead on a two-run double. That clutch hit proved to be the difference of the entire game. The Yankees would at least tack on one run in the bottom of the inning. That one run came from red-hot Aaron Judge as he laced a sharp line drive to left field, bringing home SS Anthony Volpe.

Teoscar Continues To Haunt The Yankees

Teoscar Hernández is no stranger when it comes to playing the Yankees in their stadium. He has also played with the Toronto Blue Jays, who are New York’s long-time division rival. On Saturday night, Hernandez continued to find success against Yankees pitching. The damage would start in the top of the second inning. He took LHP Nestor Cortes deep to give Los Angeles an early 1-0 lead. But he wasn’t done doing damage to the pitching staff. With the bases juiced in the eighth inning, Hernández would launch a grand slam, blowing the game wide open. That homer would make it six RBIs for the night.

On the Yankees pitching side, it was not a good night for LHP Nestor Cortes. His early struggles continues on the mound. If there’s a reason why the Yankees’ team ERA is starting to rise, it is thanks to Cortes. It seems that he doesn’t have his best stuff with him at the moment. It feels more likely now that Cortes will be the one to be sent to the bullpen once RHP Gerrit Cole returns from the IL.

As for the offense, there was not much to see from it. The only positive was the two home runs coming from Aaron Judge. That was basically it for the night. For the past two nights, New York has seemed to struggle without the presence of OF Juan Soto being in their lineup on daily basis.

Trent Grisham Plays Hero

If there’s one reason the Yankees won last’s night game, it is because of OF Trent Grisham. Now it is important to known that he is not an everyday starter but more of bench piece. He has had his struggles going on for him all year long, but when the Yankees ask him to show up, he does. Grisham came up with a clutch three-run bomb, giving New York a 5-3 lead over Los Angeles. What’s even more impressive about it is that it came against RHP Tyler Glasnow. He is not a pitcher that gives up many homers but instead collects strikeouts. Aaron Judge would provide some insurance in the bottom of the eight on a solo shot to make it 6-4 New York.

Then there was Luis Gil. He looked solid for the most part but allowed the most runs in a start of his since April 26. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get the win due to him being pulled in the sixth inning. He would get a no decision and the bullpen would take care of the work.