This one looked like it would be a blowout early as the Yanks unloaded for 5 runs in the first 2 innings. But it ended up being the bullpen that saved the day — and made the 5 runs standup for the 5-4 win.
Luis Cessa came out of the pen to save the Yankees with 3.1 scoreless innings, gaining the win and helping NY survive The Nick Nelson Experience. Domingo German was supposed to start but had a root canal and was replaced by Nelson at the last minute. The aspirin must have kicked in because German came on for the 5th inning and pitched 3 innings of relief. And then finally Jonathan Loaisiga and Chad Green closed the game.
A nice late-night, West Coast win for those who stayed up ’til 1am on the East Coast to watch it to its finish.
1. Yanks Jump On Top 3-0
After winning the previous game 12-1, the Yankees JUMPED on top in this one with 3 runs in the 1st off starter Yusei Kikuchi, who came in with a 6-3, 3.18 record.
With 1 out, Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez worked consecutive walks, and Luke Voit got a big, 2-out single for a run. Then Gleyber Torres got another big, 2-out single for 2 more runs and a 3-0 lead.
3⃣ spot in the 1st frame. pic.twitter.com/7vuk1iw7s3
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 8, 2021
2. The Nick Nelson Experience
Giddy Yankee fans then had to buckle up for The Nick Nelson Experience — a wild experience that is like riding Kingda Ka rollercoaster.
Nelson struck out the first batter — and all looked good. But then — a hit by pitch, walk, lineout to center, walk and wild pitch (for a run), walk and he was gone.
It was ball after ball; some of the pitches weren’t close.
In came Luis Cessa to get the final out — an easy groundout to shortstop with bases loaded.
PHEW.
3. Judge Homer for 5-1 Lead
The Yanks were immediately back in offensive business in the top of the 2nd with a Tim Locastro double followed by an Aaron Judge BOMB to left.
Judge bomb. 💣 pic.twitter.com/tiI7ASVqV7
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 8, 2021
There were a lot of Yankee fans in Seattle, as could be heard by the applause for Judge’s homer.
Loud noises. pic.twitter.com/Hga687jNvA
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 8, 2021
Giancarlo Stanton then singled with 2 out, and Luke Voit singled — it looked like the Yanks were going to score a Ton of runs like they did the night before.
But Gleyber Torres hit a fly ball caught by the wall in left center for the final out — and that was it for Yankee runs on the evening.
Kikuchi settled down to pitch 5 innings, and Seattle brought in 4 relievers to shut the Yanks out for the rest of the way.
Most impressive was Seattle reliever Drew Steckenrider, a big 6’5 lefty who retired the Yanks on 9 pitches in the 8th, with 2 strikeouts. He throws a 95-MPH four-seam fastball and 88-MPH change which aren’t audacious numbers, but his pitch must be deceptive.
4. Greatest Mexican Pitcher in Yankee History
After getting the Yankees out of the 1st, Luis Cessa motored through the Seattle lineup for 3 shutout innings, using his 81-MPH sinker, 88-MPH changeup, and 94-MPH fastball.
When Cessa’s sinker is sinking, he induces lots of easy outs — and he did in this game.
Cessa simply saved the game. And won the game — the official scorer granted him the win, which was up for grabs since the starter, Nelson, didn’t get thru the 5th. Neither did Cessa but that’s the way the rules work.
We tweeted that Cessa is The Greatest Mexican Pitcher in Yankee History and got a lot of agreement — although some pointed to Alfredo Aceves.
Luis Cessa is the Greatest Mexican pitcher in Yankee history.
— Yankees.Blue (@Yankees_Blue) July 8, 2021
5. German in Relief
And then along game Domingo German — in relief! The scheduled starter, German underwent emergency root canal surgery in the morning — and manager Aaron Boone made the change to start Nelson.
Once surgery was over, German said he wanted to pitch — but Boone said afterwards he had already made the change and stuck with it — knowing he could bring in German in relief.
German had pretty good stuff but in the 6h, a Gio Urshela error allowed the leadoff runner on, and with 2 outs — German coughed up a run to catcher Tom Murphy. All 3 runs were unearned as without the error the inning would’ve ended before the homer.
6. Loasiga and Green Close
In came Jonathan Loasiga for a shutout 8th — he had pinpoint control as shown in how he worked the strike zone Mike Haniger — hitting the blue zones where Haniger’s average is low.
And Chad Green came in for a shutout, 1-2-3 ninth inning, including a strikeout to end it.
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