Oakland Athletics prevail against the New York Yankees 6-5 in a nerve-racking finish – MLB Update
The Oakland Athletics edged past the New York Yankees 6-5 as they succeeded in halting what would have been a sensational run chase at Yankee Stadium in New York, NY on Tuesday, August 23.
Brandon McCarthy was the pick of the pitchers for the Athletics as he restricted the Yankees to just three runs in his 7.2 innings at the mound to bring his season’s earned-run average down to 3.72. McCarthy displayed immense variety in his 108 pitches,
managing 78 strikes and striking-out six opposition batters. His performance earned him his seventh win of the season and his win-loss record now stands at 7-6.
The misery for the Yankees continued at the mound where no starting pitcher, other than CC Sabathia has managed a commendable record. Bartolo Colon produced a dull performance yet again as he leaked five expensive-runs in 6.1 innings amid two massive home-runs.
His five strike-outs in the spell were not of much help to the Yankees.
Brandon Allen and Eric Sogard took the A’s to a flying start as both homered to the right in the second and third inning respectively. Coco Crisp scored in the sixth inning helped by Josh Willingham’s sacrifice fly hit before Scott Sizemore’s RBI effort
in the seventh inning allowed Cliff Pennington and Kurt Suzuki to add a run each and take the score to 5-0.
Hector Noesi came in to close things for the Yankees but Brandon Allen was too good for him as he unleashed his second homer of the game towards the right before Noesi could set foot early in the eighth inning to score for the Athletics, what turned out
to be the eventual winner.
The Yankees, who were kept quiet throughout the game, finally showed brilliance in the eighth inning when Nick Swisher’s three-run home-run towards the right field reignited hopes for the 47,343 fans at the Yankee Stadium.
Designated Hitter Jorge Posada smashed another home-run for the Yankees in the ninth inning before Russell Martin scored the fifth run late in the ninth inning to bring life into the game. However, Andrew Bailey managed to restrict the Yankees and save his
17th game of the season.
The Athletics lead the three-game series 1-0.
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