Yanks with ‘Wild’ Comeback Win! Reasons Why NY 6 Toronto 5 on 6-15-21

June 16, 2021 paperbacklou 2021 0

Clint Frazier ripped a go-ahead RBI double in the 8th and the Yanks survived a bases loaded scare in the bottom of the frame to gain a 6-5, come-from-behind win over Toronto in Buffalo. It was the first game after MLB announced a crackdown on pitcher use of sticky substances — and pitchers on both sides seemed to have trouble controlling the baseball — as walks and wild pitches ruled the night.

The Yanks were down 5-2 but scored a run in the 6th, 2 in the 7th to tie it, and the run in the 8th to win it. NY leapfrogs ahead of Toronto in the standings — moving back into 3rd place with a 34-32 record, 8 games back of Tampa.

Reasons:

1. Walk on the Wild Side

MLB’s ban on sticky substances, including the benign sunscreen & resin, goes into effect June 21, but pitchers all seem to be going natural already — using nothing — as Tyler Glasnow said before the game he did when ripping his UCL on the weekend. That video went viral before the game providing a scary forewarning to pitchers across the league.

After Hyun Jin Ryu walked a batter in the top of the 1st, Jordan Montgomery took to the mound in the bottom of the 1st and walked the first 3 batters he faced. With bases loaded, nobody out, Montgomery allowed a sac fly, pop out, groundout to get out of it. It was Huge as the Yankee bullpen has been taxed lately and NY needed innings out of its starting pitcher.

Ryu walked another in the 2nd but then both pitchers settled down — Monty finished with 5.1 innings, 4 walks; Ryu finished with 6 innings, 4 walks. Later, relief pitchers would come in and have the same trouble.

Boone: Monty Hanging In Was Huge

When manager Aaron Boone was asked how important it was that Monty got out of the 1st after walking the first 3 batters, he said “Obviously, what we went through over the weekend in Philly, a short outing by a starter would not have been good especially as we start this run of 6 in a row. It was huge.”

Boone added, “To walk those few, and to limit the damage, and only give up 1 run. And then kind of settle in pretty well, and a couple of the runs he gave up to extend the lead — the little nubber to shortstop and the passed ball — I thought stuff wise — it’s some of the better stuff he’s had. I thought stuff wise, he had really good stuff tonite. and Really a good job by him of competing and staying in there while we were chasing.”

2. Sanchez Ties It

Gary Sanchez hit a homer in the top of the 2nd to tie the game 1-1.

Gary Sanchez got 2 hits again — going 2-5. He is now flashing a 9-20-.225 (.330 OBP). He’s been a hot hitter, and has moved himself amongst the leaders in run production amongst catchers in the American League.

3. Gittens 1st Big League Homer

Monty pitched a scoreless 2nd but allowed a homer to Bo Bichette to put Toronto ahead in the 3rd, 2-1. But Chris Gittens tied the game with a BLAST in the top of the 4th — his first major league hit.

Afterwards, Yankee management’s Eddie Fastook could be seen out on the highway negotiating with the person who caught the ball.

4. Gleyber Doesn’t Make Play, Costs Monty

In the 4th, with 2 out and a runner on, Espinal got a bloop hit to center and Marcus Semien hit a slow grounder to short that Gleyber Torres tried to make a barehanded play on but dropped the ball; it was ruled a single but a good defensive shortstop would have made it.

Instead of being the final out of the inning, it was bases loaded. Monty then threw a wild pitch to make it 3-2 Toronto, and Bo Bichette singled to left to plate 2 runs and make it 5-2 and seemingly the ballgame.

5. Yanks Come Back

But the Yankees came back. In the 6th, a Gio Urshela single and Gary Sanchez double put Yanks on 2nd and 3rd, 1 out, and Miguel Andujar plated a run with a groundout; 5-3 Toronto.

Brett Gardner led off the 7th with a homer off reliever Anthony Castro to make it 5-4 Toronto.

Wild Pitches

Then DJ LeMahieu doubled and went to 3rd on a wild pitch by Castro. Castro struck out Judge but threw another wild pitch to score LeMahieu and tie the game.

6. Frazier Put Yanks Ahead

Miguel Andujar led off the 8th with a single. Tyler Wade ran for him and stole 2nd with 1 out. Clint Frazier pinch hit for Brett Gardner and RIPPED a double to left to put the Yanks on top 6-5.

7. Britton Escapes Nail Bitter in 8th

After Luis Cessa and Jonathan Loaisiga pitched shutout ball in the 6th and 7th, Zack Britton took the mound in the 8th, NY up 6-5. Britton had his own trouble throwing without sticky grip aid — walking Panik, allowing a single to Adams, and then walking Semien to load the bases with 2 outs, and the ever-dangerous Bo Bichette coming up.

Britton went to 3-1 on Bichette, then 3-2 — and all of Yankee Twitter went from gloom and doom to being on the edge of their seats — when Bichette hit a SHOT to right that Aaron Judge caught. PHEEEEWWWWWWW.

8. Chapman Sliders Through the 9th to Save It

The Yankees couldn’t get an insurance run which left it up to Aroldis Chapman in the 9th to nurse the 6-5 lead. He threw a fair amount of 88 MPH sliders and splitters intermixed with some 101-MPH fastballs to retire the side in order on a groundout, strikeout, groundout. The Yankees win.. the Yankees. Winnnnnnnn!

Etcetera

  • Miguel Andujar went 1-3 with a walk and is at .264 (.282 OBP)
  • Clint Frazier went 1-1 and is at .188 (.305 OBP)
  • DJ LeMahieu got 2 more hits (2-4) and is at .265 (.339 OBP)
  • Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres, and Giancarlo Stanton were hitless although Stanton walked twice

After the game former pitcher Rick Sutcliffe had feedback to MLB on the banning of all sticky substances used by pitchers to grip the ball.

And Carlos Rodon of the White Sox had further feedback.

The Boxscore

https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401228054

 

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