BOMBERS BASKING IN ORIOLES SUCCESS AT FENWAY

Source: The Boston Globe

3.5.  That's where we are today.  3.5 games back in the American League East Standings and 3.5 games up in the Wild Card.  And if we could have edged out a win on Friday evening, it would have been 2.5 games all in part to the Baltimore Orioles playing spoilers as they convincingly beat the Red Sox for two straight games since entering Boston on Friday.  The Birds beat the Sox 7-0 yesterday and 16-3 on Friday night.

Source: The Boston Globe

According to MLB.com, "Sonny Gray entered Saturday having had an uneven tenure with the Yankees thus far. In his four starts, he'd pitched to a shiny 3.13 ERA, yet had just a 1-3 record and 1.55 strikeout-to-walk ratio to show for his efforts. Thankfully, for the Yankees, Gray had his best start with his new team against the Mariners."  It was a must-win game and the Yankees edged out Seattle with a 6-3 victory.

Source: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

These are the types of game we need to win.  Friday night's game, coming after the Wednesday fight fest in Detroit, should have been a game we won, allowing us to edge closer to the Red Sox in the AL East standards.  We simply can't afford to drop games, which are clearly winnable, like we saw in Friday night's 2-1 loss to Seattle. "For much of the game, however, it felt like that one mistake would be his downfall. The offense was dormant, despite having multiple chances against Seattle starter Ariel Miranda. He did not have a good game, struggling with his command and constantly falling behind in the count. The Yankees managed to load the bases in the third when Miranda walked Tyler Austin, Todd Frazier, and Brett Gardner. Despite this, he escaped damage by getting Aaron Hicks to pop out, and then forcing Gary Sanchez to fly out," reported SB Nation.  There was also the missed opportunity to challenge the Didi Gregorius out at third after he committed a fatal base running foul, which could have given us a lead earlier on.

Source: Photo: Adam Glanzman

Yet, if we are going to lose some games, it is good to know our brothers from Maryland are there to do some beat downs on big brother Boston.  We reap the O's success as we head into the final game with Seattle this afternoon and a week filled with the Indians and the Red Sox themselves as both teams head to the Bronx.  So, some frustrating days in Yankeeland this week leading to an eclipse of happiness and celebrations as the Red Sox drop three straight.  We have to take these small victories when we can, but at the same time, make sure we stay focused on winning ball games if we are going to catch Boston and be the team no one predicted this spring.

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @suzieprof