New York Yankees Beat Los Angeles Angels 5-4 Thanks To Late-Game Heroics From Jose Caballero

The Yankees needed a big start tonight from Luis Gil as the team has lost six of its last seven games. They got an effective start from Gil and won this game 5-4. It is disheartening how a team that scored 11 runs in a dramatic win on Monday night could have only scored 1 run last night.

This game was played on Jackie Robinson Day. He broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball 79 years ago. All players wore No. 42 and had a picture of Robinson inside their hats. Robinson did not just do something for baseball; he did something for the United States. Both Aaron Judge and Trent Grisham had great things to say before the game. Do you think there has been a more significant baseball player than Jackie Robinson?

Yankees and Angels Game Summary

Aaron Judge hit his 88th first-inning home run to set the table for the Yankees. It was a solo home run, and he clearly likes playing on Jackie Robinson Day. The Yankees took a 3-0 lead, but Gil gave up solo home runs to Adam Frazier and Logan O’Hoppe, and then he gave up a two-run home run to Mike Trout. That was his fourth home run of the series. The Yanks needed to score some more runs.

The Importance Of Jackie Robinson

Today was Jackie Robinson Day across Major League Baseball. 79 years ago, he broke the color barrier in baseball, becoming the first black player in the game. During his career, he endured tremendous racism. What he did was not just important in the context of the sport; it was important for the country. The fact that players of color could not play in the Majors was a grave injustice. One has to question the validity of most records set before he broke the color barrier.

What Luis Gil Could Mean To the Yankees’ Starting Rotation

Gil pitched well in this game. He pitched poorly in his last game and in his minor league start this season. He must throw the ball over the plate. That is the key to success for the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year. What does he mean to the Yankees if he is right?

If you imagine Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon are back, adding Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, and an effective Gil in the Yankees’ starting rotation, they might have the best starting rotation in baseball this season. The Yankees score runs, but this game is about pitching and defense. The question is, will he ever get there? Gil threw five innings and was removed after he allowed two home runs in the fifth inning.

The 6 Foot 7 Pitcher

Jack Kochanowicz was the starting pitcher for the Angels. He is 6 feet 7. One would think being so tall would be an advantage when pitching. It mostly is. He has changed his delivery this year to throw more over the top. With his height, throwing over the top makes the ball look like it is being released right on top of you. It is an optical illusion, but it seems like it may be.

Another advantage of a tall pitcher like Kochanowicz is that they get a bunch of leverage when throwing the ball. They often throw hard. He does not throw exceptionally hard, about 95 miles per hour, but it probably seems like he throws harder.

One disadvantage to being that tall is that there is a big leg kick, and the pitcher tends to be slower to the plate. This means baserunners can run on them. There is little that can be done to fix this, and oftentimes, catchers are put in difficult positions.