Six months after ending the Bombers’ magical postseason run, Charlie Morton shut down the Yankees once again Monday night in a rematch of last year’s ALCS game seven.
- New York Yankees: 1 (18-10)
- Houston Astros: 2 (20-10)
- American League, FINAL
- Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
Looking for their first ten-game win streak since June of 2012, the Yankees tabbed the struggling Sonny Gray to rebound from his past few poor outings, and he actually fared rather well against a dangerous Houston Astros’ lineup. The right-hander tossed six innings of two-run ball while striking out four in a nice bounce-back effort.
However, despite the solid outing out of Gray, the offense showed no signs of life against a nasty Charlie Morton who would no-hit the Bomber lineup until a 6th inning Austin Romine single. Even though just two crossed the plate for Houston, it was more than enough for the 34-year-old who is posting by far the best season of his career.
Charlie Morton is filthy pic.twitter.com/GRY7g61RVK
— Jesse Foster (@Jesse__Foster) May 1, 2018
The Astro offense jumped out to an early lead in the first courtesy of a leadoff single off the bat of George Springer who, following a balk, would score off a Carlos Correa groundout to make the score of 1-0. Three innings later, Yuli Gurriel would tack on another run, taking a Sonny Gray slider into left field for an RBI double to extend Houston’s advantage to 2-0.
With the lead intact, Morton would coast through the 7th inning until A.J Hinch turned it over to Brad Peacock following a booming two-out double off the bat of Gleyber Torres in the 8th. Aaron Judge, who got the day off to start the game, pinch hit for Romine in the nine slot and would walk to set things up for Brett Gardner with runners on 1st and 3rd.
Peacocks cup of coffee lasted just one batter, however, as Chris Devenski entered the game to face the 34-year-old veteran. Despite recent struggles, Gardner would rip a first pitch 94 MPH fastball from Devenski into right-field for a base hit, scoring Torres to trim the Yankee deficit to 2-1.
Nonetheless, their bats would go cold in the ninth against Ken Giles, who locked down the Astros’ 20th win of the season to defeat the Yankees 2-1.
What’s Next
The Yankees take on the Astros for round two of this 4-game set looking to get back on track.
Jordan Montgomery (2-0 3.76) gets the start for the Yankees against Houston ace Justin Verlander (4-0 1.36).
First pitch is set for 8:10 PM ET on YES and can be heard on WFAN 660/101.9 FM.