New York Yankees’ offence fails in ALDS loss – MLB Update
After impressing throughout the regular season, New York Yankees’ offence faltered miserably in Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers at the Bronx, losing 2-3 to effectively end their stint in the post-season.
The Tigers did not impress either, but a spree of back-to-back home-runs in the first inning was enough to see the AL Central Champions advance to the Championship Series to take on the Texas Rangers.
Don Kelly and Delmon Young slammed Ivan Nova towards right and left-field respectively to inflict an early lead on the home-team in the all-important encounter. This was the first time that a Division Series between these teams was stretched to the final
game. In 2006, the Tigers overcame the Yankees 3-1 in the five-game series to advance to the ALCS.
The Yankees failed to cash in on their opportunities and hence failed in the end. With runners in scoring position, the Yankees went 2-for-9 and with bases loaded, went 0-for-4.
Kelly, commenting on the win after the game, said, "It was a gutsy win, especially with all the opportunities they had."
Don started the game at third base for the Tigers in a move that came as a surprise to many. Young, on the other hand, became the first player in the history of the franchise to hit three home-runs in a single post-season series.
For the Yankees, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira failed yet again, giving rise to the possibility of an extensive offensive and defensive recruitment by the AL East Champions. With their ace CC Sabathia failing to perform when required the most; it is quite
evident that Joe Girardi will want to add to the bull-pen.
Although officially Nova was removed due to tightness in forearm, Girardi commented that he did not like the way the ball was coming out of his hands and was thus compelled to make a change.
This was A-Rod’s sixth failure in the ninth inning of losses that have eliminated the Yankees. Four of these have come in the ALDS while the remaining two have come in the ALCS. This loss, however, might signal the end of his supremacy from the plate for
good.
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