New York Yankees 2012 regular season review – Part 42
After taking an embarrassing home series loss against the Cincinnati Reds, the New York Yankees were looking to turn the tables in their next series with the Kansas City Royals. However, despite having the home conditions working in their favour, Joe Girardi
and company were unable to come up with winning formula.
Yankees’ batting lineup failed miserably against a quality pitching attack, not scoring a single run in nine fixed innings. Captain Derek Jeter, designated hitter Alex Rodriguez, first baseman Mark Teixeira and second baseman Robinson Cano all had several
scoring opportunities but the night belonged to the Royals who showed nerves of steel under pressure to take a vital 1-0 series lead.
Royals’ starting pitcher Felipe Paulino had an excellent time on the mound as he allowed six hits in six plus scoreless inning, playing a key role in deciding the 6-0 outcome of the clash. Paulino struck out eight batters in crunch situations, keeping the
pressure on Yankees’ struggling batting lineup.
"At times, it looks like there's 20 people out there playing defense," Yankees captain Derek Jeter said. "It happens every year. It happens to every team. It doesn't look good when you're going through it, but you've got to have confidence."
"You're going to hear it on the road, and you're going to hear it at home when you don't play well," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It's because our fans are passionate and they want us to win. And I understand that. So do the guys in that room. If they're
unhappy with us, believe me, we're probably unhappier."
Showing great composure and character, the right hander grabbed his second win of the season. Relief pitchers Tim Collins and Aaron Crow combined to pitch two plus shutout innings to help his side complete a deserving victory.
Yankees’ starter Hiroki Kuroda was hit hard in his five plus innings, allowing seven hits and three runs in 5.1 innings. Relief pitchers Cody Eppley, Clay Rapada and Freddy Garcia were also unable control the flow of runs as they combined to five up five
hits and three runs in 3.2 innings.
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