Photo courtesy of the NJ Star-Ledger
Johan Santana was going for his 2nd straight no-hitter to tie Johnny VanDerMeer’s record, but that wouldn’t last for long. In the 2nd inning he gave up a leadoff walk to Alex Rodriguez, and then Robinson Cano quickly ended the hitless streak when he launched the first of his two 2-Run HRs on the night, both coming on the first pitch he saw. Cano’s second blast in the bottom of the 3rd would start a rare back to back to back HR spree joined by Nick Swisher and Andruw Jones, all of which came on different pitches by the Mets southpaw. It was the first time in Johan Santana’s great career he had ever allowed 3 straight HRs. As you can see on the Fangraphs WPA chart the game was all but over at that point, but the Yanks tacked on 3 more runs facing Elvin Ramirez in the 7th, and the Mets scored a meaningless run off Ryota Igarashi in the 9th on two walks and a Lucas Duda double.
Lost in the Yankee offensive barrage was the stellar pitching performance by Hiroki Kuroda. Despite coming into the game with poor numbers facing the Mets (1-5 5.75 ERA in 7 starts) he pitched 7 innings of 1 hit baseball, and would have pitched more (91 pitches) but for a lined shot up the middle by David Murphy that went off his foot. He limped off the field and left the clubhouse on crutches, though thankfully was diagnosed with only a contusion (bruise) of his lower left leg, with no bones broken. On the post game manager Joe Girardi was uncertain if he’ll make his next start, but the injury doesn’t appear to be anything that will require a DL stint.
In other notes from last night, Brett Gardner went 1-3 in his first rehab game in Charleston, and is on track to return for the Braves series. Joba Chamberlain threw off a mound for the first time and is very confident he will return at some point this year. If yesterday was Joba’s first day of spring training, figure he’s 6-8 weeks away. The 3 HRs in a row were the first time the Yanks have done that since August 28th of last year facing the Orioles, when …wait for it…..Cano, Swisher and Jones hit 3 straight off Brian Matusz. And yes, Cano’s shot was a 2-run blast that night as well. Spooky. With the win the Yanks went 7 games over .500 which is their high water mark for the season.
Tonight game is a ESPN Saturday special, with a 7:15 start. Dillon Gee (he of the dead raccoon hanging off his lower lip) facing Sir Phillip of Hughes.
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16 Responses to From no-no to 3 in a row
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TIQ IQ
I worried that I’m going to have to start believing in Hughes again.
Nice throw by Martin.
Given Martin’s OBP and his defense, which has rebounded, I’m getting off his back.
Hey Professor, using this as the game thread?
Might as well. There isn’t any other.
They seem to be late a lot this year.
I have been consigned to baseball hell and forced to listen to Buck & McCarver.
OMG!! A hit w/RISP!
Yeah, no game on YES, so I’m stuck with them, too.
A RISP hit, but now the bases are loaded, which is the big test.
Doesn’t look good for Gardner. Definitely missing his defense & speed. If he’s out for the year, I wonder what Cashman will do.
Not sure he’ll do anything. They might try to tough it out.
Did you notice if Hughes chatted with Pettitte between innings? He was kind of wild in the 1st.
I didn’t notice but the announcers mentioned it. I wonder what he said–if he noticed a flaw in his mechanics or just giving him a verbal pat on the back.
Bah. Rays jumped out to a 5-0 lead.
Ugh. More pressure to win this. Os also won. But thankfully Jays & Red Sux lost
Swisher was on the radio this afternoon saying he didn’t intend to rub anything in to the Mets, and apologizing if anyone took it that way.
Oh? What did he say that would upset them? Missed that here in the great baseball wasteland of Houston.
Hey guys, lets move this over to the game thread. Sorry its late, but there was a scheduling problem.