The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Tribe’s late rally bid all for naught
NEW YORK » By the time his teammates tracked him down for a postgame dousing, Miguel Andujar was standing close to where his winning hit landed. Andujar flared an RBI single to right field with two outs in the ninth inning and the Yankees, after blowing two late leads, beat the Indians, 7-6, for their 13th victory in 14 games.
“They give me this shot and my first walk-off,” the 23-yearold newcomer said.
Gleyber Torres, at 21, became the youngest Yankees player to hit a home run since 1969. He connected in the first matchup between these teams since New York won the decisive Game 5 of the AL Division Series in Cleveland last October.
“First of all, happy for my first home run, for sure. Super excited for that,” the rookie said.
Aaron Judge homered, doubled and drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth that put the Yankees ahead, 6-5.
Cleveland tied it in the ninth, scoring on the second wild pitch of the inning by Aroldis Chapman (1-0), who showed frustration after the ball got by catcher Gary Sanchez.
Sanchez has allowed 20 wild pitches this season to go along with five passed balls.
Giancarlo Stanton doubled off Alexi Ogando (0-1) to begin the Yankees ninth, and closer Cody Allen relieved. With two outs and runners on second and third, Andujar looped a soft single.
“We had an opportunity,” Allen said. “It’s unfortunate.”
Down 5-0 in the eighth, the Indians suddenly pulled even. Bradley Zimmer hit a three-run shot off Chasen Shreve, and Jose Ramirez launched a two-run drive off David Robertson.
It was Aaron Judge Jedi bobblehead night as the Yankees, like many pro teams, played up the “Star Wars” theme on May the Fourth. Back home after a 6-1 trip, the slugger was a force, also doubling in his own Return of the Judge-I.
Judge walked on a fullcount pitch with two outs from Ogando. The veteran right-hander pitched in South Korea last year, started this season in Triple-A and was called up by Cleveland earlier in the day.
The Indians needed relief help after a splitting a high-scoring, rain-delayed doubleheader against Toronto on Thursday. The AL Central leaders arrived at their New York hotel around 3:30 a.m.
Torres lined a three-run drive into the left field seats in the fourth. He became the youngest Yankee to homer since John Ellis, who was 20 when he hit an insidethe-parker at old Yankee Stadium nearly a half-century ago — Torres was youngest the Yankees hitter to clear the fence since 19-year-old Bobby Murcer in 1965.
Torres quickly circled the bases and, in keeping with baseball tradition, the rookie received the silent treatment when he got back to the bench. Only after he went down the dugout giving imaginary highfives to teammates did they let loose and join the party.
Judge did a little jig to celebrate, then did a jog of his own around the bases when he hit his eighth home run later in the inning.
Sanchez hit his ninth homer, connecting in the fifth for a 461-foot drive that was the longest by a Yankees player this season. Indians starter Josh Tomlin has given up a major league-most 13 homers this season in 25 2/3 innings.
Yankees starter CC Sabathia pitched six shutout innings. He gave up three hits, walked none and struck out seven, lowering his ERA to 1.39.
May the force ...
Ron Howard, director of the upcoming “Solo: A Star Wars Story” threw out the first ball. Characters in costume paraded around the field to music and clips from the movies, and one of the films played on a TV in the Yankees clubhouse. Asked his favorite “Star Wars” moment, Boone said the trash compactor scene in the original.
Trainer’s room
INDIANS » LHP Andrew Miller (hamstring) will throw a bullpen session Saturday. Manager Terry Francona said he didn’t think the reliever would need a minor league rehab stint. ... RHP Nick Goody (elbow swelling) had an MRI and there’s no structural damage, Francona said.