Yankees Beat Astros 9-3 As Elmer Cruz Is the Glue The Team Needs
The Yankees needed emergency starting pitcher Elmer Rodriguez Cruz. The youngster, whom they acquired in a trade with the Boston Red Sox, has pitched well recently in the minor leagues. The Yankees won this game 9-3. Rodriguez Cruz pitched well, but had a taxing first inning because of an error, which drove up his pitch count. He pitched six-plus innings, the longest of his career.
The Astros’ starting pitcher, Peter Lambert, was shelled in his last start against a terrible team in the Los Angeles Angels. He pitched only three and two-thirds innings. He gave up 9 runs, 8 earned, in an awful outing. The Angels are one of the worst teams in baseball. Do you think the Yankees have what it takes to go far in the playoffs?
Yankees and Astros Game Summary August 26
There was a high likelihood that a lot of runs were going to be scored in this game. Though Elmer Rodriguez Cruz has pitched well of late, he is just a rookie who has struggled with his command. Houston starting pitcher Peter Lambert, meanwhile, had a rough outing his last time out. Here is how the game played out.
In the first inning, Jose Altuve hit a fly ball to center that was misplayed by Trent Grisham. Altuve ended up on second base. Isaac Paredes scored. The score was 1-0 Astros before people even got to their seats.
That run was erased right away when Ben Rice tied the game at 1 with a solo home run. The team scored in the first inning for the first time in twenty-three games. The Yankees took a 2-1 lead when George Lombard Jr. grounded out. Luis Garcia Jr. scored.
In the fourth inning, Daulton Varsho tied the game at 2 with a solo home run. Varsho kills the Yankees. He did so for the Toronto Blue Jays, and he is doing it now as a member of the Houston Astros.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Trent Grisham hit into a double play and Jazz Chisholm Jr. scored. It was 3-2 Yankees. They took the lead, but did so with a double play. So far, Grisham is having a horrible game.
In the seventh inning, George Lombard Jr. made an error on a Taylor Trammell ground ball, and Jose Altuve scored the game-tying run. The score was 3 to 3. In the seventh inning, Cody Bellinger doubled, and both Trent Grisham and Ben Rice scored. It was now 5-3 Yankees.
Then, Spencer Jones singled, and Luis Garcia Jr. scored. It was 6-3 Yankees. Then Jazz Chisholm Jr doubled, and Cody Bellinger scored. It was 7-3. In the eighth inning, Luis Garcia Jr. hit a two-run home run. Ben Rice also scored. The Yankees led 9-3.
Yankees Injury Update
Before the game today, the Pinstripes placed relief pitcher Fernando Cruz on the Injured List with ‘elbow discomfort.’ He has been struggling lately and has been used heavily this season. The Yankees signed veteran right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer to a minor league contract. He is the same Michael Fulmer who was a starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.
For the Yankees, the injury beat goes on, as Cruz is just the latest victim. The bullpen has been very good this year, and he has been a big part of that. Some thought he was used too much; maybe he was, and this injury is the result. He joins Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Ryan McMahon, Max Fried, Clarke Schmidt, and Ivan Nova (just to name a few) on the Injured List.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Yankees won this game 9-3. The player of the game was Ben Rice. He hit a home run in the first inning. It was the first run that the team had scored in twenty-three games. It was also his thirty-fifth home run of the year. Who would have thought he would have 35 home runs on August 26? These two teams conclude their three-game series tomorrow night.
Conclusion
Elmer Rodriguez Cruz was throwing his fastball two miles per hour faster this time (97 miles per hour) compared to his last stint with the team (95 miles per hour). He was acquired in a trade with the Boston Red Sox for catcher Carlos Narvaez. Last year, it seemed like the Red Sox won the trade, but Narvaez is now struggling and has been traded to the Baltimore Orioles.
