 Afternoon baseball here on the show today we've got a good matchup in store between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros. It's Astros baseball on the show. Next, Zach Grinke is on the mound for Houston in this one. What's your take on him Dan? Hey we're taking a look at one of the top pitchers in the game. This guy has over 200 career victories and he'd like to add another one to this list. This guy's been a really good pitcher for a long time and right now he's showing no signs of slowing down. It'll be interesting to watch him work in this one here. Stepping into the box, Brett Gardner. As you can tell easily from the splits he's really struggled away from their home ballpark. First pitch coming here it is. There's a fastball well off the plate for a ball. Fellas taking a look at these Astros entering play here this afternoon. Another one last time out and in fact they've won just twice in their last eight tries. What an opportunity to get a chance to put our eyeballs on one of the best teams in baseball right now. This team has played so well. Their manager has been on point. Every movie makes his working, timely hitting, great defense, good bullpen. The starters have been on point. This is going to be special. Outside 3-0 now. Well he knows it but this is the kind of guy you just have to go right after. He's not the biggest threat with the bat so it's time to challenge him right here. A 3-0. There's a swing and a drive hit well out to right field. Back goes Redick at the track. Gone to lead off the inning. So it's his solo home run here leading off the ballgame. Number 10 for him on the year as the Yankees will grab a 1-0 lead. This guy has some pop. You can't just lay one in there. What happens? He leads the game off. Just like that it's 1-0. Into the box now. Aaron Judge. And he comes in as a player to watch out for hitting well over 300 on the season. Good. First pitch on its way. Grinky. He's the kind of pitcher that a lot of pitching coaches and managers really appreciate and that he rarely issues the free pass. He's a strike thrower. Grinky and I think every pitching coach and every manager loves to have a guy like this on his staff. He won't beat himself. He'll make you put the ball in play and he's not afraid to get his defense allowed. He's a pitch to contact guy and that's one of the keys why he's been able to be such a good pitcher at this level. So let's take a peek at the officiating crew in this one behind the plate is Kenny Jansen. Hey the book on Kenny Jansen D road not a very big zone but he will give you that low pitch below the knees. Yeah and he's consistent. You're OK with that as an offensive player. He wants to give that pitch below the knees. If this pitcher can execute consistently you better make the adjustment. Two and two and this is swung on and missed in the American League's leading hitter has gone on strikes one away. You know what was really impressive to me about that strikeout. He fell behind to know to start the attack. That's a pretty bad place to be but then he kind of refocused himself and came right back with three quality pitches in a row to sit him down. That's not easy to do but now his focus has to hone in on getting ahead on the next guy and digging into the batter's box. Next will be Giancarlo Stanton and one the count that's in there and he's deep in the hole now one two and a fastball swung on and missed as he just reared back there two away. This tells me a lot about this guy. He's done a real nice job bouncing back from that home run to strike out the next two guys. Sometimes you're going to get taken deep but it's all about how you respond. That really matters into the box now. Gary Sanchez this he'll take a look at the pitch too low. It's ball one. He'll check in here at two seventy seven a dozen home runs and twenty nine driven in on a home and it's fouled away. Ready to deal. Here's the one one. Yeah you could tell he was ready for another fastball but the pitcher went to breaking ball. And the hitter just fouls that one off. And it's two balls and two strikes now a swing and a miss as he chased with two strikes and that will retire the side. But another look here at the solo shot leading off the ball game. Bottom of the first coming up and it's an early one nothing New York lead. James Paxton is ready to go as he'll be on the mound for the Yanks. What do we need to know here Danny. We're looking at one of the top pictures in the league right now. Solid win total from last year. And he'd like to win a whole bunch of games in this new season. He's a good pitcher and he normally pitches good at the beginning of the season. And he rides that storm out all the way through the end. It'll be interesting to see what kind of start he gets off to this year. My goal. First pitch coming here it is. A ball and no strikes. Well this Yankee ball club entering play this afternoon here. They're coming off another victory last time out. And now they're winners of eight of their last nine ball games. Yeah Maddie taking a look at the standings right here. This team has a nice lead comfortable. You always want to find yourself in a position where you're about five to nine games. Got the advantage. You know one series isn't going to totally kill you in the standings. And this team this team's sitting pretty right now. He's falling behind now three and one. The head to head with James Paxton. He brings a four for 12 line three and one pitch. Hey it looks like this guy's going to work in the upper part of the strike zone. It'll be interesting to see if this lineup can adjust to the way he pitches. Nothing has to give. Here's the payoff pitch and the knuckle curve that time got him swinging and that's the first out. Not a lot of guys throw that knuckle curve but some guys have a lot of success with it. Some say it has more bite than the traditional curve ball. But I think it's more of a field thing. It just works for certain pitchers and it worked right there. And that'll bring up Alex Brickman. Week rounder back to the mound and there aren't two away now. Batting third. The second baseman. Hoze Al Tuve. So coming to the plate Hoze Al Tuve looking to get on base and keep this first inning alive. Axton has his sign. Here's the pitch. One out. Breaking ball called just a bit low. I'd be real surprised if he goes back out away there on the mound. This is a count for a fastball challenge and we'll see if he's ready for it in the box. Faces are empty here with two men out. The first baseline and a reach but it's by him as he couldn't quite get to that ball. Not in time and he's in there with a double. As we look again at that double here you can see that he was not a cool right out of the box. Smash it down the line. That was some great hustle to beat the second to earn himself a double at the plate. Now you're done. Alvarez as he will look at a first pitch fastball for ball one runner in scoring position with the set and the one oh two balls and no strikes tread lightly in this situation got a great hitter at the plate runner in scoring position. Don't be afraid. He got the base open the set and the two and all taken but called to strike out to pay at second with two down to two and two now got him swinging strike three in the side is retired danger reverted following the two out double more from the show Saturday baseball following this message and a word from our local stations. Here's the second baseman. D.J. LeMahieu comes off an over four in last night's ball game. LeMahieu. Here's the first pitch now from Frankie. Second inning starts with a fastball that misses its one and oh and a strike to even the count one and one. That's a pitch he'd like to have back. You're not going to see very many pitches like that from a pitcher of this quality. I'm sure he'd like to have that one back to take a swing at it from the windup the one one pitch. New one flap hard the opposite way. He dives. Did he catch that. He did. What a play there for the first time. Oh and a highlight real catch there. No doubt. He laid out the sacrifices body brought it in and secured it all the way to the ground. You know his pitch really appreciates an effort like that. And that'll bring up Glibertura. He was a two head effort for him including a home run in last night's game. He's ready. Here's the first offering ball one and a ball one and oh. Here it comes at the ball. I'd be shocked if this wasn't a four pitch walk right here. He doesn't want to mess around and leave something over the heart of a plate and get beat in this situation. Hit sharply on the ground a diving effort here as he gets a glove on it and he'll make it to first easily on what almost certainly be ruled an infield single. Nice effort by the shortstop right there kept it in front of him. That's that's all he could do right there Dan. You don't deal with a spot like that. That's an infield single. That's a tough play just to knock that ball down was a pretty good job. But anyway you look at it that should be scored a base hit and I'm sure it was into the box. Now Giorg Shella and he's seen his numbers on the rise here over the last five games or so. Here's the first pitch to him. Yankees lead this one to nothing here in inning number two. Hit the other way out toward right field. Redick has a read on it. He hauls it in without any trouble. And there are two away batting it. The third baseman Miguel and do hard. Here's Miguel and a hard now. He takes his first cuts in this one with a man at first and two away from the belt the pitch a runner on first with two away. Barely able to make contact down 0 and 2 now. Halfway to the plate this hitters wondering why he even pulled the trigger on that. His hands feel like he's being stung by wasps right now. And a fastball hold strike three and the side is retired. Yankees lead one. He played an inning and a half. It's one to nothing. Here's Carlos Correa now a couple of hits for him in four trips to the plate last night. The shortstop. Carlos Correa. Here's the first pitch to him. Nope. The wind up and the 1 0 pitch lofted in the air out toward right center. Judge is on the move. He gets to it and makes the catch for the first out batting fit. The center fielder. Joe Bringer. Bringer the next to hit first out bat for him in this one. He was one for four with a double in the ballgame last night. Infield in the over shift here. Now the pitch. 1 0. Hxton a 6 4 lefty. He was a fourth round selection back in the 2010 first year player draft. And when you come out of the middle round you have to grind for everything. And that's exactly what this guy has done. And he has turned himself into a solid big league ball player. But fastball but he's able to hold off on it and it's two and one now. Fastball misses in the dirt as he tried to get him to chase the low one. Do next is Josh Redick as he gets ready in the on deck circle. One out nobody on. Now here's a check swing and they appeal down to first no swing. So that's ball four. That is seven. We almost got him to commit there as we take another look at it in slow motion. He comes awfully close to breaking that plane but he was able to hold back strong risk and he gets a trip to first because of it. Stepping in is Josh Redick. He went deep in the contest last night in for a ball and it's one and one now to the Astros right fielder. Change up just off the black and it's two and one. Sometimes it can be difficult for a pitcher you're facing a guy that's not known to be a big stick in the lineup. Sometimes the toughest thing is to be aggressive and throw strikes. All even now two and two. It's ball three so it's a full count now. We could see the runner in motion here on a three two count with one out. There's a pretty good chance he's going to get a pitch to swing at and if not it's ball four anyways. And that misses ball four so it's first and second now with only one away. Well this guy's been prone to giving up walks and bunches and that's already two walks here in the early going. We'll see if this continues to be an issue for him as the start continues. So striding in Uli Guriel as he'll look to bring home that tying run from second with a base hit into the outfield. First pitch of the at bat on its way now fastball a bit too low here it's ball one pops this one up void in foul ground and he makes the catch for the second out batting night the catcher mark team Maldonado. So it's first and second with two men gone and up next the former Angel Martin Maldonado comes set. Here's the nothing and nothing pitch with runners in scoring position this season Maldonado is hitting over three fifty up in the high three hundreds. These are the stats the oppositions look at being great with runners in scoring position. He has certainly been that and he's able to slow the moment down one and one the count two down runners at first and second two balls in a strike has to be a challenge pitch coming up here. He probably doesn't want to flirt with loading the bases. It's three and one well two on two outs and he's got himself in a great hitters count just has to be careful not to get too aggressive. The walk would be good here too and it's up to a three two full count now he was able to sneak that fastball by him on three and one. So so now we've got a battle on her hands straight back and whoa that almost landed in our boot two men are on with two men out strike three called as he says you got to be kidding me with the side retired a couple of walks but no damage more of the show Saturday baseball after this Luke Voight as we are all set to begin the third inning in this season. Here's the first pitch sends that one out of play for strike one into the wind up. Here comes the O and one that misses wide one ball and one strike that weakly down the line toward third but a foul ball one and two the count now slow roller down the third baseline but this is a foul ball as the count holds steady at one and two here comes and he'll try to get him fishing there but he won't offer in the dirt and it's back to even a two and two swing and a miss as he starts the third the same way he ended the second with a punch out one away another strikeout for him on the mound and boy is it fun to watch him go about his business. No doubt Matty he's one of my favorites mostly because of his stuff. You know he can absolutely dominate on any given day because of what he offers up there. It's just nasty. There aren't many hitters that like to see this guy on the mound. So here's the veteran Brett Gardner and he fouls this one off. He launched one over the wall back in the opening frame and one count and the pitch and right into the shift and a step on first for the out three unassisted the white fielder number ninety nine Aaron so digging in now Aaron judge he looked to bounce back after striking out his last time up first offering on its way two out nobody on and it's one and one two outs nobody on but a base runner here feels like it would really change the complexion of the inning big spot right here middle of the order guys coming up and see if he can extend the inning lays off the slider that time two and one could have been three and one instead it's two and two. They'd like to see a little bit more discipline than that. You get a count of your favorite is swinging a pitch that bad not good too much bite on the breaking ball that time as it's well off the outside not a time to fool around right now on a three to count with the middle part of the order coming up expect a good pitch to swing and this one misses for ball four and the Yankees get a base runner here with two away. Well the reason power hitters generally draw more walks and other guys is exactly what we saw right there pitchers work around them and nibble the corners a lot more so they don't get burned. He made some good pitches but he just couldn't get him to chase enough out of the zone digging in now Jean-Carlo Stanton over one here in the early going he set and the pitch didn't quite catch the zone there ball one fastball got him to swing through it it's one and one from the belt the pitch to out with the man at first ball three three and two now good running count right here three balls two strikes two outs run run first he'll be off to the races on this pitch three to pitch too close for comfort and he did a good job just to make contact another full count pitch home and he may be starting to lose the feel here is that misses for ball four and that's back to back walks now with two away he did not want to let the hitter off the hook with two outs and now he's got a runner in scoring position to deal with. So two on with two away and the next to bat the Dominican born catcher Gary Sanchez first pitch of the at bat good fastball down around the knees there taken for a strike swing and a ground ball to third. Oh and he can't come up with it for on the first and a Yankee threat goes by the boards as the inning is over Yang strand a pair they lead it one to nothing. The top of the order now and Michael Brantley settles in to hit at the plate the left fielder Michael Brantley field shifted well to the right. Here's the first pitch below the zone a swing and a miss good job to spoil that one away and he stays alive and he misses there one and two bouncer to the left side and Brantley will reach he's got a base hit. So the Astros put a man aboard to get the inning underway adapt and persevere that's what I always said on the offensive side down in the count right there batter hits a ground ball the other way he's able to fight off a tough count and get himself a base hit bring up the former first rounder Alex Bregman ball one to start the at bat swing and a miss strike one one. This is where you cash your checks right here three one you one of the best hitters in the game. You live for situations like this hitters count all the way. Here it comes that misses so a single in a walk and it's first and second with nobody out. Oh boy. That could be that's a tough one for the pitcher. He's definitely wondering where the heck was that pitch. I think he called it high but our strike zone says otherwise. That's a good one. That's a really good one. And I'm going to get a good one after the second strike down in the strike zone and the next third strike out comes the second strike out and he's just got it starting in for Houston pose here to back. They'll try to follow up the double than his last half that with another big hit right here. Yeah he did a great job to go down and get that one as last step back. But I got to think they're going to pitch him up maybe elevate something in the zone. Interested to see how he approaches this next day big one delivery ball taken off the outside is a breaking ball couldn't catch first and second here with nobody out and this one's in the dirt the job to corral this quickly as the runners hold on the two one pitch hit in the air out to straight away left field Stanton has him played perfectly as he puts it away for our number one up next to the actual the designated hitter your dog Alvarez Strading forward now is the D.H. your Don Alvarez he was a strikeout victim in his first try he's got to put that one behind him especially with runners in scoring position those punchouts will stick with you a little longer that one's right down the middle for a strike with the fastball. Hey there aren't too many power hitters in the game that would let that pitch go by runners are at first and second with one away big swing and a miss at the fastball he's behind in the count 0 and 2 to mid 90s fastballs right there that he doesn't seem to think he can catch up to I wouldn't be shocked if he came right at him again with another good one here comes the nothing in two pitch lying to the right side but foul Eddie with the O2 pitches way outside and he can't even get a glove on it good work there to prevent any advance it's one and two and this is swung on and missed four strikeouts already and that's out number two got him with a good high fastball there. Danny we see a lot of that pitch and strikeout situations these days. It makes it so I think Matt would make such a great pitch as you're changing eye levels that fastball up looks so enticing to hit that you think you see that ball as a hitter you think you can drive it but it's really hard to get on top of that good high hard fastball. So next to swing the bat will be Carlos Correa as he'll swing and hit this one hard but foul off to the left and out of play two on two out for him here in the third breaking ball that time that misses out of his own. He lots of guys get too aggressive in a spot like this but he's done a nice job of gaining some count leverage look for him to put the ball and play hard. Here's the two one ripped on the ground to first and the two out threat will not come to pass as the inning is over. So it's no runs on a hit no errors and two men left on on now to the top of ending number four. It's the Yankees one and the Astros nothing start of the fourth upcoming but first Heidi Watney is standing by with a report. Thanks Matt. I talked with the Yankees manager Aaron Boone during the break about the team's offensive performance so far and flat out he was very pleased with the quality of their at bats. Yes they've only scored one run but he said they've done a great job of forcing the pitch count up and he thinks that's going to lead to more offense for them as this game goes on. Good stuff Heidi thanks and that sends DJ LaMahew into the box as we begin the top of the fourth. First pitch of the at bat on its way. Kind of man the 1 0 pitch now an off speed pitch gets the outside it's a called strike fouled away the 1 2 ball to hit the other way out toward right field. Redick has a read on it looks it into his glove and there's one gone now batting time now for the Astros road to the show report as we get a look at a couple of players making some noise in the upper levels of the minors Torrez as the change up to him drops in there for the first strike into the wind up here comes the 0 and 1 rip down the first base line and that gets through for a one out base hit he takes the turn and heads per second he is in at second base with a one out double. Well he was definitely struggling coming into this one but I think we can say that cold streak is officially over that's his second hit of the game and it goes for extra bases. We'll see now if this game proves to be a huge turning point for him in Giovanni Yerchella as he'll look at a fastball too high for ball one one run on three hits and no errors for the Yankees so far out in front here is this one scorched foul to the left it's one and two take a step back right here after three fastballs in a row there is no chance he throws you a fourth set to deal on a ball in two strikes got him swinging chased it well out of his own and there are two gone. I think he had his mind made up he was swinging the bat and now trying to protect before the ball even left the pitchers and that pitch wasn't even close he would have needed a flagpole to hit that one and that'll bring up Miguel Endujar as he takes a cold strike at the knees its own one. Hey it's not always about filling up the strike zone all the time every inning he's pitching well as we're moving into the middle innings but interestingly less than 50% of his first pitches have been for strikes cold strike as the slider gets the outside corner he's got great feel for that pitch right there he can throw it any time he wants for a strike struck him out his seventh of the ballgame and that ends the inning back to back strikeouts keep him out of danger more from the show Saturday baseball following this message and a word from our local stations digging in George Springer leading up start things out against James Paxton as we get the inning underway go bring her ready to deliver here's the first pitch one oh pitch no now a good pitch around the knees but it doesn't quite catch the bottom of his own they obviously circled him before the game that they were not going to let him beat them walked him this first time up and now they're nibbling again down low and the plot thickens here three and oh great A B up into this point a walk right here could really just infuse some confidence into this lineup and that misses for ball four to lead off walk that starts the bottom of the fourth three of those pitches were definitely out of the zone but that last pitch looked pretty darn good to get the ball out of the zone and that's not going to be a good one for me you're not usually going to get many favorable calls on three and oh though you have to earn that spot so here's Josh reddit set here it comes on's two hits no errors in the ballgame for the Astros to this point starts to go around here but it doesn't matter this is strike two anyway he's attacking this hitter a lot more aggressively than he did the first time when he faced him and issued three balls and two strikes now two straight fastballs inside haven't put him away so now it will be interesting to see what he turns to high chopper to third but a foul ball as it holds it two and two working for the punch out and the offering line drive to left and that'll get down for a base hit the first baseman number ten Yulia key Jerry now the Cuban import Yuli he looks at a fastball that misses off the plate for goal one well they've yet to hang a number on the scoreboard but it looks like they've got a great opportunity from the breakthrough going to be pretty demoralizing if they can liner towards second but this is hauled in by the second baseman now batter the catcher Martin Maldonado ready for another chance. Martin Maldonado he got called out on strikes his last time through the end of borderline call Matty I don't know I got to feel like he's got to build a rapport with this umpire this A B C out far he'll go in or out he can't allow himself to go down looking again that is such a wasted opportunity to on one out perfect situation to induce a grounder and get out of the inning but instead he's wild and both runners advance taking the double play situation away. Pope clubs with three hits in the ballgame now a big fastball and he's well behind it with the swing looking at his lifetime numbers. Maldonado is slugging a little under the four hundred marks so the chances of his connecting with the ball right here aren't particularly good. Maldonado behind a ball and two strikes trying to send them packing for the second time misses and were even at two and two inside with that ball he's not the type of hitter you want to dance around with ball pulled hard but fouled off to the left payoff pitch one more time and he takes ball for so a good job out of the nine hole and getting on base as we go back to the top of the order and things are not looking good here in the fourth inning that's the second walk of the frame. We're good time for the catcher to go out to the mountain have a chat with this guy to give him a little breather. And here's the left handed hitting Michael Brambley as he's got a chance to tie this ball game up with that equalizing run just 90 feet away at third ground ball the second this could be to tour is at the back on the point and ending ending double play just what the doctor ordered. He gets the double play to get him out of the inning. More of the show Saturday baseball after this. Step through the start of the inning stepping up now. Looking to put the ball in play here. He went down on strikes in his first half that pitch on the way. Great pitch right there. That is a huge breaking ball not shocked he took it got to calibrate that one for a second. There comes the 0 1. Checksy swing but this will be strike two call popped him up. Correa is there and he hauls it in for the first out of the inning. Now that is the center fielder Brett Gardner. So it's back to the top of the order now and up next the left handed hitting Brett Gardner first delivery to him on the way there's not too many umpires in the game that are going to ring that first strike right there. That was borderline up even though it was in the zone there's a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit on the left handed after a game hit down. Even though it was in the zone the one oh and it's fouled away Grinke ready now the one one. Get down the third base line and this'll stay inside the third base bag a fair ball reach second now with one away so a good job of going the other way here as he checks in with the one out doubled new here as he tax onto his total currently was a walk in his last trip. First pitch on its way. On its way is pitch number seventy five. There's a fastball on the inner third taken for a strike. Hey with first base open pitchers definitely going to nibble and try and see if the hitter expands his own. The 0 and 2. He didn't look overly fooled right there because a lot of pitchers will go to the breaking stuff 0 and 2 but he certainly looked ready for a breaker on that pitch runner at second here with one man out and he struck him out strikeout number eight now in the ball game for him. So after getting the strikeout on the fastball not a bad time to check out our pitch speed comparison for our two starters and you can see a five mile an hour difference on their best fastball there ninety seven on one hand to ninety two on the other. Jim Carle Stanton now looking to keep this one run game the pitch on he jumps on this one it's high and deep to center and goodbye. This one ain't coming back long to run Homer off the bat of John Carlos Stanton homerun number 15 for him thus far as the Yankees move out to a three to nothing lead most pitchers aren't going to throw this guy much of a fastball to try to challenge him because this guy can hit him a mile just like he did with that swing right there impressive power Gary Sanchez Gary yes he'll take a look at ball one no hits to this point next pitch will be an even eighty so far for Grinke the 1 0 is swung on and miss strike one it's not easy to get your barrel to a pitch that high that could be an effective location as long as he keeps it above the letters swung on and this one's driven in the air as well to deep right field and out of here back to back to out home runs it's a solo shot here for Gary Sanchez number 13 for him on the year as the Yankees start to pull away a bit it's now four to nothing we've seen these guys go deep three times so far in this one guys yeah Maddie it's scorching out right now and they always say when the weather gets hot the ball starts traveling Dan what's your take that's exactly what happens D road come out of spring training a lot of the places it's a little damp it's a little cold but it starts to heat up and get hot and humid it definitely plays right into the hands of the hitters and they're taking advantage of the conditions today one ball no strikes the count the 1 0 right and this is why he's struggling right here he's not able to pound the strikes own early in the count these guys are finding themselves in serious count leverage situations and good hitters aren't going to miss this is swung on and hit to Al Tube at second reigned in onto the first baseman Gouriel and that will end the inning so two home runs in the inning lead to three runs on the scoreboard home half of the fifth coming up the Yankees lead at four to nothing welcome back for the bottom of the fifth here's Heidi Watney thanks Matt during the commercial break I discussed the Astros offense with Houston's manager and overall he's really happy with the app that's their putting together they've earned five walks in the game and he said that's not only leading the game but also making it a lot of run scoring opportunities but it's also forcing the pitching on the other side to work a lot harder and throw more pitches than they want to good stuff Heidi thanks ready for another shot now Alex Bregman will start things out here in the home fifth and it's been tough waiting for this lineup for the first half of the game right yeah they haven't had any momentum going to the plate so far in this one Matt they need something to break their way and wake them up a bit be nice to get these fans into the game as well now the pitch hit on the ground down the first baseline this gets foul it's 0 and 1 now the pitch a shot down the first baseline and that's through for a hit around first he's digging for second and he will pull into second with a leadoff double I'll tell you that's one of the first good swings we've seen anybody put on this guy so far he's been throwing the ball really well but that was one of the few mistakes we've seen in May digging in once again Jose Altuve he's one for two in this one Polo strikes man this guy's had their number all game long up down in and out he's pitching very well got the middle and in for a base head and he will beat the tag is safe at the plate everything done right Dan on both sides the defensive side and the offensive side to send him the outfielder made a strong throw but that run it was safe no doubt about it that's one of those where you got to be aggressive as a third base coach you know the outfielder has a strong throwing arm you're taking your a lot of things you're trying to get through a decision to send a good send in a close play but it all worked out so now to the plate you're Don Alvarez one ball no strikes the count a swing and a miss that's the first strike double barreled action in the Yankee bullpen now a lefty and he's going to start to get loose air out to center field Gardner is there and that's the first out of the inning the batter number one shortstop Carlos Correa standing in Carlos Correa it's been an old for two effort for him to this point here's the first pitch to him pitch out nothing doing Correa left field and he's doing well goes the dynamite close Correa with a two run shot number 11 for him on the season as it's trimmed to a four three game now you don't see this very often over this starting pitcher this guy's not used to giving up some bombs so I'm sure that'll be a wake up call and he'll start throwing some better pitches here's George Springer and the starter remains out there despite just allowing the long ball maybe they'd go and he's not used to that yet to meet that home run was assigned and he's starting to get a little bit tired out there it was a good pitch to hit and it's typically the command that starts slipping when you're fatiguing a little bit so I can't see him being out there much longer first pitch on its way his balls hit in the air down the right side and out of play 0 and 1 Springer 30 years of age this is the agent at season's end some guys only get to free agency one time in their career this guy has a chance to get there for a second time and in the prime of his career is he able to handle the pressure as he plays out this final so bad so disappointing as a pitcher Dero you make a really good pitch and yet this guy's so big and so strong he's able to muscle it in the right field for a base hit you hand your batting gloves to the star that's a nice A.B. here comes the Yankee manager now up out of the dugout on his way to the mound and it changes in the offing is that will be all for his starter this afternoon so he'll head to the dugout after working just four and a third not enough to qualify for the victory as his bullpen will have to go a long way to hang on to the lead Louis Sessem enters to make an appearance on the mound as he plays with one out in the inning plate now Josh read the swings and misses throw down ring him up the caught stealing for Sanchez very well could have been a hit and run attempt there we kind of have to make contact with those to work out he didn't and his teammate was hung out to dry at second he's already home here right back to the mound and not too shabby out of the pen takes just two pitches to get the ground ball but they strike for three in the inning two on this two run homerun five innings complete the Yankees four and the Astros three digging in now for the Yankees he'll lead it off against Zach Ricky to open up the inning here comes the first pitch one count even now with one and one out off again and now he's in a one and two hole two and two he lifts it into the air to shallow center Altuve onto the grass he gets to it and makes the catch for the first out now that designated hitter Gio Burcella stepping up to the plate Gio or Shella he's 0 for two with a strikeout in this one first pitch of the at bat on its way popped him up Maldonado moving to his left to the right now that the third baseman Miguel and do hard into the box Miguel on do hard 0 for two for him to this point there's the first pitch now from and there's a line drive base hit to left field and they say in this game you better have a short memory well that's obviously the case with this matter he came into that third at bat after his ticket punch twice plate look white as he'll go after the first pitch and bounce it into foul territory 0 for two from him so far in this one here's a fastball that crowds him a bit and it's one and one hits or even at seven apiece liner towards second in there a base hit so now they'll have runners on the corners with two away well deal with that look like a pretty easy hitting the start all of a sudden two outs and one of those runners at first and third yet they put traffic on it I guess I would throw it back at you Dan you get two quick outs right there and then you get two base hit knocks are you even concerning yourself with the traffic on the bases or you're just trying to execute that next bit you know what happens a lot of times Dero you lose concentration to get the first two out the inning you think hey I'm going to breeze through this one and two away Brett Gartner now and he takes ball one James native Floridian he was taken in the very late rounds during the 2014 draft I know this guy wouldn't go into the category of superstar but to grind out the career he has being drafted where he was my hats off to him look like the fastball got away from in there it's ball two for three our score here as we play inning number six and wow that looked to be well inside but it's a cold strike two and one now looking to wiggle out of this here it is couldn't be a whole lot better situation to hit it now three and one two on he's got to be thinking he's going to get a pitch he can drive right here the three and one pitch and there's a cold strike at the knees as he was hoping for a base on balls there but it's a full two runners at the corners two men out count remains full another one as this is hit high and deep out to left and he will crash into the wall but hold on to it there for the final out of the inning one more look at the final out that teeth rattler if ever there was one more from the show Saturday baseball following this message and a word from our local stations leading up for the Astros the first baseman Ulysses comes the first pitch and some action out in the Yankee bullpen now as a right hander starts to loosen up very undisciplined swing there it's two and one it's a high fly ball headed for the left field corner if it stays fair it's gone nearly a big fly to start the inning instead of foul ball is swung on and misty got him really good late bite on that slider right there the best ones have that late action that just darts at the last minute mark they're so tough to get the bat on and when you've got that good slider going it's a great strikeout pitch into the box now Martin Maldonado as the first pitch to him is taking the loan away for bull one it was a walk in his last trip here's one Houston catcher it's two and one now now the pitch here's a strike with the breaking ball that's three straight sliders in a row I'd be shocked I would be shocked if he went to that well a fourth time I'd be looking here fouled off bases are empty one man out to high ball three you could pretty much look at that a fastball's coming a challenge fastball right here he cannot allow the nine hole and he takes ball four so a good job out of the nine hole and getting on base as we go back to the top of the order I know one thing he earned that three pass right there he was tempted with some really good pitches but he stayed disciplined and drew the walk you're like Britain comes on now and this move looks to be all about playing the matchup here and I don't think there's any doubt about that man they want the lefty lefty matchup and that's usually the right move we'll just have to see how this plays out Michael Grant Lee will be the first to greet him here as he'll stand in with a runner at first and one away the pitch Britain a six foot three inch left-hander he was selected in the third round or in the first year player draft of two thousand six yeah Maddie they certainly got it right when they drafted this guy he has turned himself into an absolute superstar everybody knows this guy's name and kids are buying his jerseys and he struck him out so he's down on strikes for the second time this afternoon well that's just a quality pitch right there the location is excellent because it's put in play there's a good chance it's on the ground for a double play and hey a strikeout always works too Alex Bregman as he pops the first pitch foul behind the plate a hidden two at bats for him at this point in the ballgame Britain's ready here's the 0-1 oh and this at bat is quickly moving from bad to worse it's 0-2 now see guys he is human occasionally an ugly swing right there but he's having a monster season so I'm going to give him a free pass did a good job to shorten up and protect the plate and he'll have another shot at it here hoping to send him packing pitch on its way a swing and a miss as he chased with two strikes and that will retire the side Astros leave one score holds at four three Aaron judge been a strikeout victim twice in this one the right fielder Aaron first pitch of the at bat on its way pretty good pitch right there fastball in off the plate one of the things you want to do as a pitcher try to stand those hitters up swung on and missed one-on-one in the air down the right field line on the move is ready but he won't get to it and this should put him in scoring position to start the inning and he's going to get to second now with nobody out now that it took him till the seventh but he gets his first hit of the game here and that'll extend his hitting street yeah and he didn't come out of his he didn't come out of what he was trying to do all day Dan kept the front shoulder top kept the ice water in his veins and didn't try and get too big extends the hitting streak nice job you know D row I talked to him before the game about the streak and he said the toughest part is he hopes to get hits early in the game to take the pressure off and he had to wait to the seventh inning in this one to come through kicks and deals looking at his career totals Stanton begins play with a slugging percentage north of 525 certainly a line he can take pride in hit high and deep to right center springer on the run he gets there to put it away but the runner tags and breaks for third and he'll get into third here on the fly so he's 90 feet away here with one gun now batting Gary so now it'll be the four hole hitter Gary Sanchez is working here to bring home that very important insurance run standing at third ready to deliver here's the first pitch a ball and no strikes we're in the seventh inning now of a four three ballgame two and oh no runner on third sack fly situation right pitchers down really good job of patients trying to get a pitch that he can lift into the air to drive that runner home to type with that one three and oh no when you're playing close games like this base runners mean everything so he can ill afford to start giving away free passes of three oh pitch ball is taken for a strike and he runs it full three and two sometimes you can get away with a pitch in that location when you're running it up that hard but not consistently you still have to work the edges of the zone most of the time swing and a miss and they'll dodge a major bullet that time two away well it's been a rough series for him at the plate so far that's four strikeouts in the first two games so this pitching staff clearly has him figured out at the plate now dj LeMahieu as the first pitch misses to him it's ball one he's hit listen three at bats to this point changed up on him and dropped it in for a cold strike and this guy's got an 89 mile an hour changeup there was a time when 89 was a pretty good fastball ready with the one one here's a ground ball out to the shortstop Correa throwing the dirt but a good scoop at first saves an error as the side is retired one left for the Yankees and it remains a four three game it's the call from the band to take over on the mound and start the home seven fifty one then up to the plate next will be Jose Altuve leading a distinct star from over even though we're moving into the back into this game only down by one all they need to do is get this leadoff guy and they're an extra base hit away from tying this thing up no balls in one strike just a bit high with the fastball they didn't get the call that's through the field so the time runs aboard to kick off the inning they need to be aggressive right here from the offensive standpoint the bottom of the seventh you're down this has to be the moment they scratch one across Alvarez and again now you're done Alvarez as the first pitch to him is in there for a cold strike one that here's the 0 1 swing and a misson he's quickly in the hole 0 and 2 the pitch right there that might have started middle but you saw it breaking away to that other part of the zone this left handed batter right here has got two decisions to make is he going to ground out to second base all day or is going to drive the ball the other way got him and that's the third time we've written a K next to his name in this no batter number one important time for a strike out there guys tying one at first so objective number one is stranding him on so now to the plate Carlos Correa so take a look at a slider here that misses for ball one he's working on a one for three thus far it's on the heater and it's two and one hey this picture better be careful right here a man at the plate is not trying to push something to the opposite field Astro shortstop in front with a three and one count George Springer is on deck little jumpy there as he swings through the fastball swaying and a miss on the fastball that time out number two that's a big strike out there with the tying run over at first base now real number number becomes a lot more difficult go to manufacture that guy home great probably need a ball in the gap to give him a chance at the plate George Springer now Springer belts one carrying well out to left is the dynamite or Springer puts two on the board with that home run home nine on the year as they will take the lead here it's now a five four ball game so pitching duties looking to get that final out now here in this seventh inning number forty eight now batting right fielder into the box Josh red as he takes a fastball off the plate for a ball one or no a hidden two tries for him so far he won a home one and two bases are empty here with two men out in here as he reaches to file this one away the one two is swung on and missed strike three Astros plate two on the two run home run we're through seven this afternoon Houston's out in front five four Ryan Presley has been summoned from the bullpen as he'll do so to start the eighth tried again Torres he'll have the first crack at it here as we start inning from the stretch the bullpen as their closers starts to get loose out there swings and misses for the first out of the inning five four game let's give you a look at the starter comparison to see how these two guys stack up against one another settling in now Geo or Shella he was retired after popping out in his last at bat yeah I don't mind them trying to drive the ball in the air but he can't collapse the backside and that's exactly what he did in his last at bat look for him to stay a little taller and keep that upper half a little bit more over one and oh the count and he misses low with it two and oh down the pitch swing and a shot hit down the corner and a big sigh of relief on the mound is that nearly tight it for this ball is followed shin high fastball that time ball three you see a right handed batter waiting next but he could very well be pulled back as the situation dictates he swung on and missed a full count now both teams have nine hits on the scoreboard back to back punch outs here to the first two men he faces out of the bullpen how bad no problems for him on the mound since he's come out of the pen to start this inning that's back to back case and he's making it look pretty easy this has the makings of a good outing so far Miguel on do hard as he'll get caught chasing a bad one there at strike one he's got a hidden three at bats to this point here's a fastball that crowds him a bit and it's one and one and a fastball in the dirt that's taken for a ball and that's upstairs running the count to three and one three ball one point would be next if they can keep this ending alive two out nobody on on he swung at ball four there as this is pushed foul off to the right it's three and two now a pitch home gets him swinging he struck him out one two three go to bombers and the deficit holds at five to four Chad Green was on to pitch out of the bullpen in the bottom half of the eighth number fifty seven Chad to go for the last half of the inning so stepping in Yuli Gouriel was sat down on strikes in his last at back he's ready here's the first offering well above the letters with the fastball that time one oh count here it is in the dirt it's three and oh now it's been a great job so far by the eight hole hitter if he finds a way to get on base this could spell for a huge in the three oh laid off but in there for strike one three and one pitch up the middle for his brings it in but the throw will be well laid so a good play but it's all for not is that'll be an infield single I know that has to be frustrating from the pitchers standpoint but nice execution nice hustle bottom line nice hustle pitchers still one good pitch away from getting a double play you know Dero one of the things you want to do is make quality pitches as a pitcher and there's not much you can do right there you make a pretty good pitch and the next thing you know you have a leadoff single on an infield ground ball Maldonado is of course a highly regarded catcher and it's really fun to watch him control the game behind the plate not only with his glove work but with the arm as well he's got a cannon and it's in the head of opposing base runners every night certainly a valuable guy to have on your squad yeah he certainly could have a C on his chest the captain of the infield controlling the pitching staff shutting down the running game soft hands I can't say enough about this player this inning hasn't started ideally for him on the mound but here on 3 you know you have to have the mentality that you're only a strike and or a ground ball double play away from getting back on track three one now that's a really curious pitch selection 3 0 and turn to the slider you have to wonder if maybe he's lost the field for his fastball in one pitch and he takes wall four again and they clearly just don't want to be part of him in this one always tough to issue a free pass but they'll especially give up a single right before that this start the inning we'll see if he can figure out a way to wiggle out of this now to the plate Michael Brantley who comes into this appearance in the midst of a one for four day first offering on its way sharp ground ball toward the hole and a reach with the backhand but he comes up empty as that gets by him and no sense risking anything here is the bases are loaded now there's still nobody out there looking at a big right here with that single bases are loaded yet no runs have scored in this inning yeah and that's exactly what that pitcher wants you to think you have to eliminate the noise Dan just try and drive in the guy from third base don't put pressure on yourself that you have to get everyone in with one swing of the bat pass the baton and keep the line moving on the stretch here's the pitch no and lay off the fastball here in a good spot but rule the ball one and oh when you're hitting in a situation like this you have to find a way to slow your heart rate down the pitchers the one with all the pressure you're looking at keyhole something middle of the plate and drive some runs in the one oh this is hit to third will it be to they get the force at the plate to avoid in time for the double play up next to the after the second base second baseman Jose Altuve he's got three hits including a double to this point here's the first pitch to him and he fouls this one off so far this season with runners in scoring position Altuve has a batting line residing in the two 90s looking to boost that even higher here that just misses off the inside for ball one second and third two away hit softly on the ground a third under harsh got it on the first and the Astros can't cash in as that ends the inning to left for the Astros they hold on to a 5-4 lead Roberto Ozuna comes on from the pen hoping to finish this one off here in the top of the ninth number 54 Roberto for more points will start things out against Roberto Ozuna who for his part goes for the save in this one set here's the nothing and nothing pitch and we kick off the ninth inning with a swinging strike here nothing in one he got a swing and a miss on that last pitch but that's not the location he wants to live in against a hitter of this quality sky down the left field line and this will wind up a foul ball the nothing and two pitch strike three on a pitch in the dirt and he makes the throw to first boy retired and there's one away so the leadoff man gone to start the top of the ninth as we take a look at Lee saves leaders entering play and as you see he's right up there among league leaders in that department back to the top of the Yankee order digging in Brett Gardner he lined out in his last trip so looking for better fortunes here yeah pretty unlucky right there Matty squared up a fastball nicely and that's all you can do you just want to be on time for the heater and he's prepared for this next day big lifted the other way out to left center Grant Lee is under it and that's the second out of the inning now batter the right here's big Aaron judge it was a two-bagger for him in his last half that well he got a good pitch to hit last time up looked for it up in the zone and didn't miss it those are the pitches you only get maybe once in a B maybe once a game maybe once a week so he certainly capitalized on it last time and it's quickly oh and two of this crowd right around thirty five thousand strong on their feet and it's a ball and two strikes not Aaron judge hey if you're going to throw a pitch like that to this guy that's right where you want to miss any lower and he'll probably make you pay for it now a drive by judge deep left field looking up his Bradley and his Yankees fans here on television quite frequently see a solo shot here to left as we are all tied at five we've seen these squads go yards six times now today this game has developed into an absolute slug fest now guys Dan they're absolutely not going to cover off the ball I'm curious to get your take on this I didn't find it to be the truth I didn't mind hitting at night but a lot of guys say they see the ball better during now you know what's funny hero is I prefer to pitch in night games as opposed to day games I always thought it was advantage to the hitter and so far that looks like it's the case and this one right here they must be seeing the ball really well because they're they're just absolutely smoking the baseball right now ready with the one oh now the Astros have somebody up in the bullpen as a right hander has started to warm up out there too tall that time three and one now well that's a pretty well known fact that your batting average goes up as you get into more favorable hitters counts and that's especially true when we're talking about this kind of hitter not a great spot to be in if you're the pitcher three and two full count off ball four now the potential go ahead run is on base here well it's obvious that earlier home run he gave up is still on his mind he had him three and two but he didn't want to give him anything over the heart of the plate did so we'll see if that walk comes back to hurt him now time is called and we'll have a pinch runner at first and that'll be a wise decision as he's the potential go ahead run next will be the cleanup hitter Gary Sanchez there are two gone and the possible go ahead run at first now a slur is going to bounce up to the plate as he lays off it for ball the possible go ahead run at first before the delivery a check on that go ahead run at first they pitch out here but nothing's going on of the two oh the farm manager in this hitter right here he doesn't even have to look down at the third base coach you know he's got the green light he's one of the best hitters in your lineup three and one you maybe get two pitches a game where all the guesswork goes out the window this is certainly that situation and he misses with it ball four so the potential go ahead run moves in a scoring position now and don't forget he gave up a long ball earlier in this inning so you can understand why he wasn't too aggressive with him there when he got him to three and one he wasn't too anxious to challenge him now batting DJ LeMay here his day at the plate hasn't amounted to much 0 for 4 but this is a great opportunity to make a man well your team really needs you like they need it right here you have to be able to put your personal struggles out of your mind right now is all that matters here's the first pitch and that misses one facing right handed pitching so far in this season LeMay here brings a batting line of barely over 200 so there's certainly some room for improvement there he'd be the first to tell you he's not happy with his bat and average this season but he can beach in a variety of different ways the play is made here to end the inning but the Yankees are able to tie things up on the solo home run that'll set the stage for the bottom of the ninth all even at five a piece remains in the game batting ninth and banning left field now playing left number 14 Tyler so here's the Astros cleanup hitter Jordan Alvarez struggling so far in this one and looking to erase his 0 for 4 ballgame right here your dog Alvarez he's set and the pitch inside with the first pitch splitter and it's one and all now action in the bullpen as their closers starts to get loose out there trying to get the arms extended but he couldn't one and one he knows full well he's sitting on a hat trip right here all he's trying to do is avoid the golden sombrero now the one and one pitch right side defense aligned perfectly and a step on first himself for the out riding in once again Carlos Correa he's one for four for the game here's the first offering through that fastball right by him he had no chance to get the barrel of that one swung on and missed one and two now the problem for the batter now is he's gotten so inside conscious after those first two pitches anything on the outer half of the plate is going to look a foot outside one two is looked at for ball number two bases are empty one man up the middle and in the center field as he's aboard with a one out single a nice piece of hitting right there to put the winning run on base I know there's one out in the inning they got one more to play with that they could potentially be deducted with this guy right now now time is called and a very wise decision here with the potential winning run at first they'll opt to put a little extra speed on the base pass at the plate now George Springer as he will look at a first pitch fastball for ball one he's got a chance to end this one and send these fans home happy if he can get a ball deep enough into the gap to miss one and one beautifully thrown splitter right there high 80s down in the zone looks like a fastball coming and then boom the bottom balls out of it terrific pitch ballman two strikes I think it's about time to choke up on a bat get that foot down he's awfully tardy right now ball to here's the two two pitch fouled away in a full counter George Springer it's three and two Josh ready waits on deck now the three and two pitch and that misses ball four so now the potential winning run moves into a scoring position where a single could end this next to the after the right field Adam Ottavino has called upon to get the final two outs of the ninth and send this one into extra innings complete now picking for the Yankees number zero Adam Ottavino Josh ready will be his first assignment here as he'll face him with runners at first and second and one gone here's the first pitch to the right field judge will drift over to his left a few steps as he takes it for the second out the first big number 10 Ulysses so digging in with a chance to win it here Yuli Gouriel as he'll look to get the ball into the outfield and bring home what would be the winning run from second base here's the first pitch hit pretty well out toward the left field no problems here Houston the Astros are gonna walk off a winner always great when a game really comes down to the ninth inning like it did here they had a chance to walk it off and send their fans home happy and that's exactly what they did lots of smiles around here right now a one run game six to five the final today the Stroves came through and it mattered in the ninth on the way to the win Roberto with the win out of the pen his first so that just about does it for Mark DeRosa Dan please act Heidi Watney and our entire crew I'm Matt Vaskers and you've been watching MLB the show for more make your way over to the show nation dot com