Yankees Fall in Extra Innings to Dbacks

bigstory.ap.org

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

April 18th, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Yankees

Final Score: Diamondbacks 6 Yankees 2

The New York Yankees were unable to complete the sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night. The Yankees loss snaps their three-game winning streak, but they were able to take two out of three games against the Diamondbacks, which is nothing to be ashamed of.

Yankees Starter Phil Hughes, who gave up a combined eight earned runs in his first two starts of the season, looked much better on Thursday, as he comes back from his neck injury. Hughes in the no-decision went seven innings only allowing two runs on six hits, while striking out six batters. The long ball, which plagued Hughes last season seems like it will always be a problem for Hughes in Yankees Stadium. He is a fly ball pitcher, and he gave up two on Thursday to Didi Gregorious and Martin Prado, but on the bright side they were both just solo shots.



David Phelps took his first loss of the season in extra innings, as the 12th inning was a nightmare for Phelps. In two innings of work Phelps allowed four runs, three of which were earned on four hits, and one walk. Ex-Yankee Eric Chavez did most of the damage off Phelps with the bases loaded; Chavez cleared them with a three-run double. 

For the second straight game the Yankees offense had a tough time against a Diamondbacks young pitcher, and on Thursday that was Patrick Corbin. The young Left-Hander went seven innings allowing only one run on two hits, and three walks, while striking out seven batters. Corbin left the game in position to get the win, but was let down by his bullpen.

The only Yankee hitter to do much of anything against Corbin was Second Baseman Robinson Cano. The Yankees slugger hit his fifth homerun of the season in the sixth inning off Corbin, which broke up the shutout. For Cano last season he didn’t hit his fifth homerun until May 22nd and he finished with a career-high 33.

Cano wasn’t the only Yankee to go deep, as Francisco Cervelli had one of the more clutch hits for the Bronx Bombers in this early season. In what made many fans of the Diamondbacks and Yankees remember the great 2001 World Series, which provided some huge clutch hits for both teams, Cervelli was able to take Closer J.J. Putz deep to tie the game at two, and send it into extra innings.

After what was an exciting series with the Diamondbacks the Yankees will be heading up North to play the Toronto Blue Jays, as Andy Pettitte (2-0, 1.20 ERA) will be back on the mound after having some back spasms, and he will be facing Brandon Morrow (0-1, 4.60 ERA).