There is no better way to put it, the New York Yankees were throttled by the Houston Astros on Tuesday night, losing 15-1 and falling a full game behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the lead in the American League East. The Yankees' bats went silent while Ivan Nova gave up five runs in the first inning alone. Things were ugly in the Bronx and now the Yankees must bounce back with Michael Pineda returning to the mound.
Carlos Gomez and Evan Gattis were the heroes of Tuesday night as they each sent out a home run and drove in four runs while the Astros continue to dominate, winning their last six of eight and nine of 13 games. Gomez was the subject of controversy as the Yankees heckled the star resulting in a benches-clearing argument. According to Gomez, players were screaming at him and he felt disrespected. That could come back into play as the two teams meet once again.
The Yankees will try and turn things around as Pineda comes back on the mound. The pitcher has not exactly been a model of consistency this year and is returning from a DL stint due to a strained forearm. He is 9-7 with a 3.97 ERA on the year. He posted a 1.25 ERA in his last three starts after giving up nine runs in just over 11 innings in his two starts prior to that. He has a career 2.57 ERA against the Astros and will have to deal with a lineup that could be on fire once again.
Collin McHugh is certainly hopeful the Astros turn on the jets once again as he has gotten almost no offensive support in his last three starts. The pitcher is 13-7 with a 3.96 ERA on the year, but has gone 1-2 in his last three starts despite putting up a 1.67 ERA. He has just one run of support in that stretch despite allowing just two or fewer runs in his past six of seven outings. The Astros are hopeful they can keep the offensive momentum alive and get the well-performing pitcher a much needed win.
