(Leon Halip/Getty Images)
By: Joe O’Reilly Pure Sports NY
Ivan Nova got his first chance to be a stopper this year as the New Yankees took on the Houston Astros for the final game of the three game set. Early last season Nova had struggles that lead to a short stint in the minor leagues with Scranton /Wilks-Barre which turned his game and attitude around to come back to the majors for a strong finish. Nova, went 9-6 with a 3.10era in 20 starts, this brought high hopes into spring training. Thinking Nova would perform and win a spot in the staring rotation. The spot in the Yanks starting rotation was won and Nova started the third game of the season for the New York Yankees.
This game started out much like the first two, when Nova looked the have trouble pitching to the top of the Astros order. Fowler and Grossman both started off with singles to the outfield putting runners on first and second. Next, batter Jason Castro was hit by a pitch to load the bases and lead to a Jose Altuve ground out that scored Fowler. After walking Chris Carter it was time for a Larry Rothschild mound visit to talk it over with Nova which looked like more of a motivational talk then an actual two man dialogue. Message received, because the second pitch was a grounder to Roberts for a easy double play to get Nova out of trouble and out of the inning. Astros Lead 1-0.
After a smooth second inning for both teams the Yanks bats came alive in the third with singles from Ichiro and Solarte to put runners on the corners for Brett Gardner. Gardner wasted no time taking an 0-1 pitch to right field to drive in Ichiro and move Solarte to third with one out and the Captain coming to bat. Jeter worked the pitcher for a walk with Carlos Beltran coming up to bat with the bases loaded and 10 career grand slams. Unfortunately, no grand slam this time, but Carlos comes through with a sac fly and a RBI to make the score 2-1 Yankees.
Throughout the day Nova was working himself in and out of trouble with the double play being his best friends on a day where he didn’t have his best stuff. The double play helped him out of trouble in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. His only other run given up on the day came in the fifth before the double play giving up an RBI single to who other than Dexter Fowler the Yankee Killer of the series. Captain Derek Jeter had an RBI single of his own in the same inning driving in the bright spot of the series utliity infielder YangirvisSolarte. The Yankees would go on to score one more run in the game to take the first win of season 4-2.
David Roberson did something for the first time in his career which was also a big deal for the Yankee fans early in the season and that was to save a ballgame with no MO in the bullpen. The Yankees had there first chance to show how their bullpen could lock down a game for them and with the arms of Warren, Kelley, and Robertson it looked good. Needing 9 outs over the three innings the pen managed 4 strikeouts and 3 one,two, three innings to pick up the save with ease. It was far less scarier then pass Robertson game enders when he walks a few to get you heart going then proceeds to strikeout two and get out of the jam. One opportunity, one save I’ll take it, but if the Yankees can keep making games 6 innings with this strong bullpen watch out American League East.
Joe O’Reilly Pure Sports NY