Normally, a doubleheader against a division leader this time of year would be a big deal by itself.
But with the Yankees set to take on the Red Sox in a four-game steel cage death match where the games promise to be “the most important” of the season, according to Yanks manager Joe Girardi, the rainout-induced doubleheader at the Stadium against Cleveland on Wednesday became something of an undercard.
Obviously, Cleveland pitching had a lot to do with it, but the Yankees offense in the first game appeared to be looking ahead. The Indians scored twice in the first inning and four Cleveland pitchers made it hold up as the Yankees suffered a 2-1 defeat.
Even with Cleveland in town, there was much conversation around and attention to the main even starting Thursday when CC Sabathia kicks off the series against East-leading Boston, facing fellow lefty Eduardo Rodriguez.
The second-place Yankees hold an 8-7 edge in the season series with Boston. But the Red Sox, who played in Toronto Wednesday night, led the East by 4 ½ games after the first game of the doubleheader. And because this upcoming series is the last time the two rivals meet in the regular season, the intensity and importance are magnified.
“Absolutely,” Girardi said beforehand. “At this point in the season, you’re going to be able to say those are the most important games of the season because we won’t run into them and (because of) where we are in the standings. But before we get to that we’ve got to take care of business today.”
Yeah, after all the Indians, despite all their injuries and splints and casts, aren’t too shabby. And it’s not like Yankees-Red Sox is a matter of life and death. Nope.
It’s bigger than that.
The Yankees went into the first game with Aaron Judge again resting — he last played Sunday — but ready to get back in the lineup in the second game. Judge pinch hit in the ninth and struck out to end the game.
Second baseman Starlin Castro, recently returned from a disabled list stay because of a hamstring, also was limited to starting the second game. He pinch hit in the ninth inning and struck out.
Judge, admitting “my whole body is kind of beat up” from the rigors of the season, in 41 games since the All-Star break has hit a dreadful .179 (26-of-145) with three multi-hit games. He had 30 multi-hit games in his first 84.But the tuneup started poorly for the Yanks. The Indians staked righty Trevor Bauer to a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Francisco Lindor scored on a Gary Sanchez passed ball and rookie Yandy Diaz stroked an RBI single against starter Jaime Garcia, who pitched into the sixth inning.
Garcia exited after walking Carlos Santana to start the sixth. He surrendered six hits two runs – one earned – and three walks. He struck out five. Chad Green threw the next 2 2/3 innings and struck out seven while giving up just one hit.
The Yankees got one back in the third, helped by some wildness from Bauer who walked four, hit two and unleashed two wild pitches in six innings.
With one out, Aaron Hicks walked. He took second when Indians shortstop Lindor made a magnificent diving stop on a Sanchez hit bid, got up and bounced a throw to get the Yankee catcher. Hicks took third on a wild pitch and coasted home on Didi Gregorius’ double to left to make it 2-1.