The Streak is Over!

 ...And I hope we are starting a new one!  A 7 game losing streak in a 60 game season is the equivalent to a 19 game losing streak in a normal 162 game season.  That is a seriously bad run.  It was especially bad because the last 3 losses were all very tough ones.  Those three bad games started on Tuesday after the first loss of a doubleheader against Atlanta.  In the 2nd game, Tanaka was cruising and inexplicably, Boone made a bad decision taking Tanaka out.  Tanaka had retired his last 7 batters, allowed only 3 hits and no walks, and was in total command all 5 innings; his pitch total was 66 pitches.  Just because it was a 7 inning game, I would not manage differently.  Anyway, Tanaka was taken out and Green allowed an 0-2 single and then a HR to lose the game.  

The doubleheader on Friday against the Mets, where we lost both games in brutal fashion, closed out the losing streak.  In the first game, we blew a 4-0 lead going into the 5th (7 inning game) and a 4-1 lead going into the 6th.  Then in the 2nd game, we blew a 3-1 lead going into the 5th and a 3-2 lead going g into the bottom of the 7th where Chapman allowed a walk-off 2 run HR after walking the tying run.  This game was even worse because we had bases loaded and 2nd and 3rd with 1 out and didn't score.  The 2nd and 3rd situation was frustrating because Estrada walked on a 3-2 pitch that would have made it bases loaded with one out, but he was rung up on a curve from a lefty that never even made the outside part of the plate; it was a terrible call.

But, somehow, the Yankees overcame all that negative momentum 😊and won  2-1 on Saturday (on a wild pitch by our ex-teammate Betances).  On Sunday we had a doubleheader again and had a shocking comeback from being down 7-2 in the last (7th inning).  We got one guy on via a throwing error but then had 2 straight outs.  We then were given a walk and a HBP and then a single by Voit where Estrada (possibly the 3rd base coach) made what should have been a game-ending horrible decision to go to 3rd with 2 outs and didn't even slide.  However, the Mets 3B caught the ball and when tagging Estrada the ball kicked away from him giving the Yankees even more life.  Then a 3-2 pitch, Hicks lined a HR to tie the game.  We then scored the winning run in extra innings with 2 outs as Tauchman (starting at 2nd base) just got around the tag at home plate to have a huge win and a brutal loss for the Mets.  It was the 1st time in 20 years the Yanks had come back from 5 runs in the last inning (and were given 2 errors, a walk and a HBP to do so).  

The second game of the DH was another good one for a variety of reasons.  1) It was a close game throughout and went into extra innings, 2) the Yankees won on a pinch-hit grand slam by Sanchez and 3) we got to see one of our top prospects pitch and he didn't disappoint.  Devi Garcia, 21, has a young Pedro kind of feel about him.  He doesn't throw as hard as Pedro, but throws 90-94 and was mostly around 93.  But he has good spin rates and life to his fastball.  He also has a very good curve and changeup as well.  Garcia went 6 innings allowing 4 hits and no walks striking out 6.  He did allow an unearned run thanks to Voit misplaying a grounder, but it was encouraging.  He missed a lot of spots but he was effectively wild and was not afraid to throw inside to righties.  

Some quick notes:

• I don't like the starting at 2nd base in extra innings, It is too artificial, just end the game in a tie if you don't want to play longer...or just play 3 more innings and then tie if nobody wins at that point.  Why are ties such an issue?
• In college, I played two 7 inning games or one 9 inning game, but I don't really like a hybrid.  I get why this year, but in general, my feeling is every game should be roughly the same and 7 inning games are just different.  I know we have rain outs after 5 games, but I always felt those games should be continued as well.  I am more OK with 7 inning DH's than I am with the runner starting at 2nd base
• That running play where Estrada should have been tagged out at 3rd base really ticked me off and so did Etrada getting called out on that 3-2 pitch.
• I have a little more confidence in Britton to close than Chapman.  Both guys scare me with Sanchez behind the plate as wild pitches or passed balls are commonplace
• It is amazing the amount of injuries we are having again...Where is teh overhaul of our medical staff?.
• a 3 game winning streak is about an 8 game winning streak.  We are more than halfway through teh year...yeah, halfway already.