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| Shane Greene more than did his part in NY's win. Photo Credit: USA Today |
After dealing Vidal Nuno to the Arizona Diamondbacks for starting ace Brandon McCarthy, the Yankees needed a fill-in pitcher and Shane Greene delivered on Monday night against Cleveland as he was perfect through four innings en route to picking up his first major league win as the Yankees defeated Cleveland 5-3.
By: Sunil Sunderraj
The former Yankee Nick Swisher spoiled the no-hit bid in the fifth inning with a solo home run. Greene tossed six innings yielding two runs on four hits while striking out two.
New York’s bat continued to sizzle as they pounded out 12 hits. In the last two games the Bronx Bombers have torched the baseball scoring 14 runs on 26 hits.
The Yankees played their first run of the game in the second inning on a Brian Roberts double into the left field corner that scored Brian McCann from second base.
A bases loaded line drive single by Brett Gardner brought Kelly Johnson home followed by a four pitch bases loaded to Derek Jeter extended New York’s lead to 3-0. Two more runs in the third inning broke the game wide open for the Yankees.
Cleveland to their credit, did not go down without a fight in this game. They were able to slice New York’s lead to 5-3 in the eighth inning on a Yan Gomes blast off David Huff. This put game pressure back on the Yankees and left the bullpen with little room for error.Dellin Bentances though calmed any nerves from Yankees fans as he came into the pitch the final two innings to notch his first major league save of his career.
This has been some memorable 48 hours for him. Not only did he notch his first save of his major league career but the day before he received the honor of being named to his first All-Star game.
Brian McCann went 3 for 3 with a double and two runs scored despite playing with a sore foot. Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki also chipped in with three hit apiece. Carlos Beltran was scratched with swelling in his right knee and is day to day. Yankees rookie pitchers are 27-15 this season.
New York is on a nice little run as of late as they now have won four out of their last five games.
Another Yankees All-Star Mashiro Tanaka seeks his 13th win on Tuesday when he faces off against Indians starter Trevor Bauer.