New York Yankees, Jacoby Ellsbury run past Detroit Tigers

By Nick Ziegler | Apr 23, 2015

On a cold day in Detroit, the New York Yankees were able to come away with a third straight victory against the Detroit Tigers.

The win moves the Yankees to 9-7 on the season, and it also means the Yankees won another road series. Defeating the Tigers in three out of four games on the road is a very encouraging and impressive statement by the Yankees.

Getting the start for the Yankees on Thursday afternoon was ace Masahiro Tanaka. After allowing a run in the first inning on a Victor Martinez sacrifice-fly, Tanaka would settle in. Tanaka would pitch 6.1 innings allowing just the one run on three hits and two walks.

Things did get a bit hairy for Tanaka in the seventh inning, as a lead-off double by J.D. Martinez, which was followed by a walk to Yoenis Cespedes, would end Tanaka’s day. Justin Wilson would come on to face James McCann, who grounded into a fielder’s choice. Dellin Betances would then be called upon to get Nick Castellanos for the final out of the inning.

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Betances would stay on for the eighth inning, and he looked like the Betances of last season with some great stuff, and some pop on his fastball. In the eighth, Betances would have a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts.

Andrew Miller would come on to close the game in the ninth inning, and he earned the save by going through the heart of the Tigers’ lineup.

It wasn’t an exciting game by any means for the Yankees’ offense, as all of their offense came from Jacoby Ellsbury. In the sixth inning, Ellsbury would draw a walk to start the inning, and then promptly stole second base.

A good piece of situational hitting by Brett Gardner advanced Ellsbury to third base on a groundout. Carlos Beltran would have one of his three strikeouts in the game with Ellsbury standing on third base with just one out. The Yankees would catch a break however, as a balk by Anibal Sanchez would allow Ellsbury to score, which tied the game at that time.

In the eighth inning, Ellsbury’s legs would help the Yankees get the lead. To start the inning, Ellsbury would have a hustle double to kick things off. Gardner would sacrifice Ellsbury over to third base, and then despite his struggles this season Carlos Beltran was walked to set up the double play ball. The Tigers would get the ground ball they wanted on a ball hit by Brian McCann, but they were unable to turn two, and Ellsbury scored.

It was a great road-trip for the Yankees, and slowing down the Tigers in the American League is a momentum builder to head back home with.

Next up for the Yankees will be a trip home for the start of the Subway Series with the New York Mets on Friday night.

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