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In the rubber match of the three-game series at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees lost to the Tigers, 2-1. >> Box score
Five things to know about Wednesday's game..
1 ) After being recalled before the game to take CC Sabathia's roster spot, Jonathan Loaisiga took to the mound and delivered. Loaisiga showed promise in a few starts for the Yanks last season when his top minor league level was Double-A. In his start today, he was seemingly limited to a pitch count (he threw just 71 pitches), but held the Tigers to one run on one hit and three walks, while striking out four batters. Loaisiga will likely remain in the rotation until Sabathia returns.
2 ) The Yankees offense is whiffing at an incredible pace this season. With 18 strikeouts at the plate today (a new record for the most in a nine-inning game in franchise history), the Yankees have struck out 65 times as a team through its first six games. The strikeouts are OK to deal with when there are home runs to go with them. Right now, that's not the case as the Yankees have just six dingers on the season.
3 ) Chad Green was sent out for a second inning and he allowed the go-ahead run on a home run to the ninth-place hitter, Gordon Beckham. Green is not nearly as dominant as he was in 2017, but the Yankees need to him to provide innings when starters like Loaisiga are unable to pitch deep in the game.
4 ) The Yankees rotation, which figured to be the weakest part of the club coming into the season, is more than holding up its end of the bargain. In 31 innings, Yankees starting pitchers have compiled a very tidy 2.32 ERA. That will be a hard mark to maintain, but if the Yankees can get the bats going, that type of pitching will produce a string of wins.
5 ) Once again, the Yankees failed to deliver against a team that is expected to finish well below .500 this season. This series loss is the second straight to open the season for the Yankees, as the club's record falls to 2-4. It would be fine to say the Yanks could turn things around with a trip to Baltimore, except that's the team that just took two of three from the Bombers just days ago.
Highlights
DJ 👉 AJ pic.twitter.com/Cmao2VfnKY
- New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 3, 2019
What's next
The Yankees hit the road for the first time this season, as they travel to Baltimore to face the Orioles once again for a three-game set. It will be James Paxton making his second start, while the O's will send out Alex Cobb