Yankees cap big day with win over Tigers
NEW YORK -- Just hours after the Yankees acquired pitcher Sonny Gray, their bats were on full display as they thumped the Tigers, 7-3, on Monday at Yankee Stadium.
The Tigers made it interesting when they loaded the bases in the ninth inning and forced the Yankees to bring in closer Albertin Chapman. Detroit added its third and final run on a fielder's choice from Michael Mahtook before the final out was recorded.
First baseman Chase Headley gave the Yankees their first spark when he barreled up a bases-loaded two-run double in the fourth inning to put his team up, 2-1. Todd Frazier followed with a two-run single, giving starter Luis Severino a three-run cushion to start the fifth.
"Got a fastball in the middle of the plate," Headley said. "Pressure's on [starting pitcher Michael Fulmer]. He's got to throw something over the plate. He's got a good fastball. I know it's his best pitch, so I was ready to hit it."
An inning later, Aaron Judge cracked a solo home run that had an exit velocity of 101.6 mph and traveled a projected 400 feet, according to Statcast™. It was Judge's Major League-leading 34th homer of the season.
Clint Frazier ripped a triple in the seventh inning to send home Jacoby Ellsbury. That was the final blow for Fulmer, who was removed a batter later after he walked Judge. Fulmer allowed seven runs (six earned) in six-plus innings.
"The first three innings, I felt like I could throw the ball where I wanted to, and then I just kind of lost command," Fulmer said. "I can't be mad, because I feel like my stuff has come a long way. Everything I've been working on is getting there. I just have to put it all together."
Severino, who was credited with the win, wasn't as sharp as he had been in his previous four starts. He was lifted after five innings, having thrown 116 pitches, though he allowed just one run.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Opening the door: With Judge on first, Ian Kinsler booted a routine double-play ball from Gary Sanchez, setting up the Yankees' four-run fourth inning. Fulmer walked Matthew Holliday before Headley's two-run double.
Frazier for three: Clint Frazier's triple in the seventh inning gave the Yankees a four-run lead and allowed them to give an opportunity to Jonathan Holder -- who had been called up earlier in the day -- in the eighth inning instead of setup man Player Page for David Robertson, who was warming up before the triple.
QUOTABLE
"It happened quick, but when I went to catch it, that's when I felt somebody push my hand -- not out of the way. Actually, I think it pushed it right into the ball, so it worked out well." -- Jim Adduci, on his leaping catch to take a home run away from Todd Frazier, who tipped his cap at the effort
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Clint Frazier hit the ball at least 100 mph in each of his four at-bats, though his RBI triple was his only hit to show for it. He becomes the third Yankees player to hit the ball over 100 mph since Statcast™ debuted in 2015.
INJURY REPORT
Jose Iglesias left the game with a sprained right wrist, sustained when he struck out swinging against Tommy Kahnle in the sixth inning. X-rays were negative, and he's day-to-day.
WHAT'S NEXT
Tigers:Anibal Sanchez will try to regain his midsummer stinginess in a ballpark where he has had some success as the series continues on Tuesday night at 7:05 ET. Sanchez is 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA for his career at Yankee Stadium, but has given up 12 runs on 24 hits over 15 1/3 innings in his last three starts overall.
Yankees:Carsten Sabathia will take the mound on Tuesday against the Tigers at 7:05 p.m. ET in the Bronx, looking to rebound from his previous outing, which lasted just 4 1/3 innings. He allowed four earned runs in the no-decision.
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