Gary Sanchez broke a scoreless tie with a three-run home run in the ninth inning, and the New York Yankees downed the host Houston Astros 4-0 on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park.
Sanchez smashed the first pitch from Astros closer Ken Giles 423 feet to straightaway center field, plating Aaron Judge and Didi Gregorius.
Judge opened the ninth with a leadoff single, and Gregorius followed with a double to left-center off Giles, who struck out the side in the ninth inning of the series opener Monday to earn his third save.
Giles (0-1) had not allowed a baserunner in his past seven appearances and was scoreless over his past eight.
The Astros wasted an exceptional effort from starter Justin Verlander, who worked eight shutout innings and matched his career high of 14 strikeouts. He plunked the first batter he faced, Brett Gardner, with a pitch and allowed a pair of singles in the second. Beyond that, he was infallible, save for Gregorius’ bunt single against the shift in the third.
Verlander followed the Gregorius hit by retiring the final 16 batters he faced, recording two strikeouts in the fourth and fifth innings while punching out the leadoff batter in the sixth and seventh. He fanned Gardner to cap the eighth inning and complete his 105-pitch masterpiece. Before Sanchez struck the decisive blow, the Yankees were saved by their bullpen.
Yankees left-hander Jordan Montgomery logged a perfect first inning but departed with left elbow tightness. He is scheduled to return to New York on Wednesday for an examination by the team doctor.
Right-hander Domingo German was called upon in an emergency situation in the second inning yet responded by allowing just four hits and one walk while recording four strikeouts over four innings. Right-handers Chad Green, Dellin Betances, and David Robertson (2-1) followed with a scoreless inning apiece, combining for six strikeouts while allowing two hits and no walks. Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth.
Cruz homers as Mariners top A’s
Nelson Cruz hit a three-run homer to back a strong start by Felix Hernandez, giving the Seattle Mariners a 6-3 victory Tuesday night against the visiting Oakland Athletics.
Cruz’s fifth-inning blast to center field snapped a 1-1 tie and gave the Mariners the victory in the opener of the three-game series at Safeco Field.
Hernandez (4-2) allowed three runs on three hits in six-plus innings, with two of the runs scoring after he exited. Hernandez walked four and struck out seven. Trailing 5-1, the A’s scored twice in the seventh.
Khris Davis, who has three home runs in six previous games against Seattle this season, led off with a walk. He moved to third on Matt Olson’s double to right field.
That was all for King Felix, who was replaced by Nick Vincent. Vincent caught Matt Chapman on a called third strike for the first out of the inning. Mark Canha then hit a ball up the middle that deflected off Vincent’s glove and rolled behind shortstop Jean Segura, who broke behind second base to where the ball was headed before Vincent touched it.
By the time Segura chased it down, he had no play, with Davis scoring and Olson moving to third. Chad Pinder brought home Olson on a groundout to first, but Vincent struck out Jonathan Lucroy to end the inning with the Mariners holding a 5-3 lead. Seattle’s Juan Nicasio pitched a perfect eighth, striking out two, for his major-league leading 11th hold, and Edwin Diaz worked the ninth for his MLB-best 12th save, also striking out two.
RESULTS
Yankees 4 Astros 0
Marlins 2 Phillies 1 (10 innings)
Diamondbacks 4 Dodgers 3
Rangers 8 Indians 6 (12 innings)
Nationals 12 Pirates 4
Braves 3 Mets 2
Brewers 7 Reds 6
Royals 7 Red Sox 6 (13 innings)
Mariners 6 A’s 3
Angels 3 Orioles 2
Padres 3 Giants 2
Rockies 3 Cubs 1
Tigers 2 Rays 1
Blue Jays 7 Twins 4 (10 innings)
Cardinals 3 White Sox 2
New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (left) celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports
