What’s this? A series win and a two-game winning streak? Why yes, that’s exactly what it is.
Behind another strong pitching performance by Andy Pettitte and a two home run night from Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees were able to beat the Royals 8-3, winning the rubber game of the series and making the long plane ride out to Oakland a good one.
Pettitte lasted seven innings, gave up two earned runs, seven hits, struck out eight and only walked one batter. The two runs came off of solo home runs by Billy Butler and Mitch Maier.
Rodriguez hit the home runs in his first two at bats of the game – a two-run shot and a solo shot – off Royals starter Will Smith. No relation to the actor/rapper. Rodriguez had three RBI on the night.
Curtis Granderson hit his 14th home run of the season to start the scoring early for the Yankees. David Phelps came in and pitched the final two innings, giving up one run on two hits while striking out two.
Poor Russell Martin singlehandedly added to the Yankees’ RISP woes by stranding seven runners on base. He’s currently batting .173.
The Yankees are off tomorrow so they can travel out West for three games against the Oakland Athletics. They will then fly to SoCal to play three against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and wrap up the road trip with three more in Detroit. Well, that should be a lot of fun.
