Last night was an absolute roller coaster. After a sluggish start offensively, the bats woke up with a loud 6th inning explosion, which all started when Clint ripped a double to left for his first big league hit.
The inning was capped off with Didi’s first career grand slam. The Yanks were ROLLIN’.
An absolute missile to left on a ball I’m not entirely sure how he got to. He has this short, rip through swing that looks kind of weird on TV, but hey it works so I’m not complaining. You’ve heard about the “Legendary” bat speed, well it’s legit. Listen, I may have my opinions about his personality and off the field shit, but the dude can mash and he’s going to help this lineup stay afloat for the next few weeks. You have to be happy for the kid to have a debut like he did yesterday, I just wish what followed after the home run didn’t happen…
Girardi decided to pull Montgomery in the 6th with the tying run at the plate. Correa had just gone deep and a runner was on second. His pitch count was under 90, but I didn’t hate the move because he brought in the always reliable Chad Green. So what did Green do? Struck out both batters to end the threat because that’s all this guy has done in 2017. He came back out for the 7th and worked a quick inning, aided by an Alex Bregman double play ball.
So we entered the 8th inning with a 6-3 lead and Betances and Chapman waiting to shut the door. A three run lead with those two guys ready to share six outs means game over about 97% of the time I would say. Not during this nightmare of a stretch, of course not.
Dellin’s location was brutally off. He couldn’t throw his slider for a strike to save his life and ended up walking three guys and giving up a bomb to Gattis before getting pulled. Chapman tried to clean up his mess, but Gurriel ripped a double down the line to give the Stros the lead. Even on nights where we get to the 8th no problem and seem to have the game in hand, it’s not. There’s always something wrong with the pen. It’s ridiculous.
So going from one moment of winning their first series in weeks (against the best team in baseball), the Yanks resorted back to their recent struggles and blew the game in horrifying fashion. They wasted another strong outing from Montgomery and an unreal debut from Frazier. Everything was going so good, but now we wake up on Sunday feeling empty with a huge game at 2:15 to try and go home with a series win in their pocket. Sevy on the hill against Fiers should be a fun one.
P.S. This post game interview bothered me more than it probably should have. Sorry I’m such a Jeter lover and wish everyone would be like him, but dude your team just blew a big time lead in a huge game. Don’t be so happy. Jeter would’ve rather died than talk about himself and his big night, instead hoping they win tomorrow and win the series. Judge as well, to be honest. I got some heat for bashing this, but I’m here for it. I would’ve been miserable if I were in his shoes.
P.P.S. Can we please stop calling him “Red Thunder?” That’s one of the worst nicknames I’ve ever heard. Someone said El Rojo and I can live with that. But for the love of God no one call him Red Thunder. I know Carson Wentz is the Ginger Jesus, but he’s a loser quarterback who throws with two arms sleeves. Tough to be Jesus when you’re out there throwing 5 yard passes with two arm sleeves. Ginger Jesus or El Rojo, nothing else.
