Yanks lose 3 straight

Yanks Lose Third Straight

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 11- The opening week homestand of the Yankees has been a big disappointment to their fans. New York lost its four of the first five games of the season on Saturday afternoon as the Red Sox triumphed, 8-4.

Although the returning from injury Yankee starting pitchers appeared to be the focus of Hot Stove League discussions this winter, the lack of hitting has been the biggest Yankee weakness during the first five games. The team currently has a .193 batting average.

Each of the two teams, the Yankees and Red Sox, used 21 players during Friday night’s marathon that lasted 6 hours and 49 minutes, but only the Yankee batters seemed to exhibit the tiredness that each player must have felt.

Boston’s manager talked to reporters of his ability to use bench players like Brock Holt, Allen Craig and Daniel Nava with effectiveness to replace his starters on Saturday, “It speaks to the depth of our roster.” His words were echoed by catcher Ryan Hanigan, “It was huge. These guys had awesome days. They had big hits.” 

Only Alex Rodriguez, the oldest man in the Yankee lineup in terms of age and longevity with the team, hit safely and also scored a run against Red Sox starting pitcher Joe Kelly. 

The 39 year-old led off the second with a single to left. He moved to third on a walk and a wild pitch and crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly to right by DidiGergorius. 

The second was the only inning of the seven pitched by the Red Sox starter in which he allowed a baserunner. The righty has won all three of his starts against the Yankees. He is the first Boston pitcher to hurl a one hitter against the Yanks in the Bronx since Pedro Martinez on September 10, 1999. In each of his three victories over New York he has received strong offensive support from his teammates. They scored at least seven runs in each game. 

Boston skipper John Farrell expressed gratitude for Kelly’s performance, “He was outstanding. He helped us, especially after last night’s game. You’re looking for a starter to go deep. He wasn’t taxed, except in the second.”

Kelly spoke about his desire to remain in the game as long as possible, “Starters take pride in trying to save the bullpen.” He ended his day on a strong note by retiring the last 17 batters he faced. 

The only offensive show of force by the Yankees came in the eighth inning off reliever Alexi Oguendo. After retiring the first two batters in the inning, the reliever yielded singles to Gregorio Petit and Brett Gardner and a three-run homer to Chris Young. 

The Yankee starter Adam Warren was only making his fourth start in the majors, his first since September 27, 2013. He gave up only one earned run and five hits in 5.1 innings and should earn another starting opportunity. 

Masahiro Tanaka (0-1) and Clay Buchholz (1-0) will be on the mound to start the final game of the three game series on Sunday night.

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