Cashman dismisses Crane
Yankees’ GM says Astros’ owner off base with comment
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is brushing off Houston owner Jim Crane’s recent comments about the Astros’ signstealing scandal.
Speaking to reporters before New York’s series opener against the White Sox on Thursday night, Cashman called Crane’s remarks “deflection ” and “trying to equate probably an equivalent of a parking ticket to maybe 162 felonies.”
Houston was punished by Major League Baseball after it found the Astros used electronics to steal signs during the Astros’ run to the 2017 World Series title. The process started in 2017, according to baseball’s investigation, and continued through the 2018 season.
Houston eliminated New York in the AL championship five years ago, and Cashman described the Astros’ actions as “illegal and horrific” in an interview with The Athletic in March.
The Yankees were fined $100,000 by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred for using their dugout phone to relay information about opposing teams’ signs during the 2015 season and part of 2016. That punishment was revealed last month when a letter was made public after a federal appeals court ordered it unsealed as part of a dismissed lawsuit by a fan.
In an interview with USA Today, Crane called Cashman’s March comments “extremely strange.”
Cashman said he didn’t think anyone would buy what Crane was saying, and pointed out the difference in punishment for Houston and New York.
The Astros were fined $5 million and forfeited multiple amateur draft picks as part of the punishment for the scandal.
Athletics 5, Tigers 3: Seth Brown hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth off Michael Fulmer (1-2) following Jed Lowrie’s walk, sending Detroit to its ninth loss in 10 games.
Orioles 3, Cardinals 2: Rylan Bannon became just the third Baltimore player since 2000 to get a hit on the first pitch of his big league career, and Jorge Mateo and Anthony Bemboom homered off Steven Matz (3-3).
Astros 11-5, Twins 3-0: Luis Garcia (3-1) and three relievers combined on a seven-hitter, Yordan Alvarez homered twice and Jeremy Pena capped a big day with three hits as Houston extended its winning streak to 10 games and completed a three-game sweep. Before the regularly scheduled game, the teams completed a game suspended after three innings on Wednesday due to severe weather. Jose Altuve drove in three runs in an 11-3 victory.
Reds 4, Pirates 0: Connor Overton got his first major league win and combined with two relievers on a four-hitter for Cincinnati’s first shutout in ’22.
Rangers 3, Royals 1: Taylor Hearn allowed only one hit in five scoreless innings, Brad Miller homered and Texas defeated Kansas City.
Note: Phillies slugger Bryce Harper has a small tear in his right elbow and won’t throw for four weeks, but the reigning NL MVP will stay in the lineup as Philadelphia’s designated hitter.