Chasing History: A Road to the Show Report

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YANKEES AVOID SWEEP IN TEXAS
Happel Leads the Way in 7-2 Victory


ARLINGTON, Texas (OS) - After a disastrous homestand, New York traveled to Texas for a brief three game road trip. Unfortunately, the change of scenery did not help much, as the Yankees dropped two of three games against the Rangers.

But, there was a glimmer of hope at Globe Life Park in the form of rookie Chase Happel. The 19-year-old came through in a big way in the series finale, going 3-for-5 with a double, a run and an RBI. He helped spark an offense that included home runs from Mark Teixeira and Jacoby Ellsbury, while Yanks starter David Price enjoyed a stellar eight inning outing to even his record at 6-6 on the season.

"It's been a brutal month for us so far," admitted Happel. "And, it's not like we played all that well down here. But, hopefully the fact that we got to a guy like that [Yu Darvish] can give us some confidence and we can finally get some momentum going in our favor."

New York now returns home to face off against Toronto, these Rangers and the Milwaukee Brewers.

"We're just a win streak away from turning the season around. Heading home gives us a chance to get some work done," commented Happel.

Here is a look back at the series against Texas:

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YANKEES STAVE OFF JAYS COMEBACK ATTEMPT
Happel's Big Day Sparks NY Offense

BRONX, New York (Operation Sports) - "We won a game yesterday. If we win today, it's called 'two in a row.' We win again tomorrow, that's called a 'winning streak.' It has been known to happen before."

Happel just misses on a home run as the ball hits off the top of the right field wall. The rookie settled for a double. (Hapshoops32)

Those words uttered by Lou Brown in the popular baseball comedy "Major League II" could just as easily have been used by Yankees Manager Joe Girardi in the clubhouse before tonight's game against American League East rival Toronto. It serves as the perfect microcosm for New York's season thus far. While there have been plenty of stretches of bad baseball, the good stretches have been few and far between.

But, after holding on for a 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays, the Bronx Bombers may be on the cusp of some quality baseball.

"It really is a matter of just taking it one game at a time right now," admitted Girardi. "Yes, we won yesterday. Yes, we played pretty well in our win tonight. But, tomorrow's a new day. I want them to just worry about the present and forget about everything else. If we can play consistently well for the next week, then we've got some momentum. But, that's not my concern right now. My concern is the game in front of us."

As for the game that is now behind us at Yankee Stadium, winning one inning made all the difference for the home nine. And, it was all sparked by the team's youngest player, Chase Happel. With one out in the bottom of the second inning, Happel laced a 2-0 pitch to the gap in left-center field. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases. Eric Sogard fouled out to Toronto right fielder James Jones, but it wasn't deep enough to score Happel from third base. John Buck frustrated New York fans even more by hitting a ball deep enough to be a grand slam, except that it hooked just foul.

This play at the plate turned out to be huge. A sac fly attempt with one out turns into an inning ending double play thanks to a perfect throw by RF Carlos Beltran. (Hapshoops32)

"You could almost feel as if the fans sensed another big missed opportunity on our part," commented Happel. "But, Johnny came through for us, and that kind of got us rolling."

Buck would eventually draw a walk after working a full count to force Happel home. Then, Brett Gardner blew the game open with a bases-clearing double that landed just past the outstretched glove of Jays left fielder Melky Cabrera.

"That really gave us a big boost. It was just what we needed, exactly when we needed it," said Happel.

It also seemed to be just what Yanks starter C.C. Sabathia needed. He finally turned in a quality start after struggling through several appearances in a row. The lefty kept Toronto batters off balance before finally being forced to leave in the eighth inning with a slim 4-3 advantage. Preston Claiborne was able to get the final two outs of the frame with the lead in tact, and David Robertson had a lights out ninth inning to earn the save.

"There was quality pitching, timely hitting and good fielding. It was a good all-around game. Now, we need to repeat that tomorrow," commented Girardi.



YANKEES REWIND: The umpires go to the video replay to overturn what was initially called a grand slam off the bat of New York's John Buck.

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DARVISH KEYS TEXAS-SIZED WHOOPING OF NEW YORK
Righty Dominates as Rangers Offense Explodes

BRONX, New York (Operation Sports) - Fans showing up at Yankee stadium hoping to watch some quality baseball instead were surprised by a sudden football game that appeared to break out. At least, that's what one would believe after looking up at the final score. Texas got into the end zone twice while holding the Yankees to just a field goal in a 14-3 dismantling on Sunday afternoon.

Ok, all kidding aside, this was a dreadful game to watch for the Yanks faithful and for the players on the field.

"That was pretty rough," admitted Bronx Bombers shortstop Chase Happel. "We're getting sick of all of these lopsided losses, and I'm sure the fans are tired of it as well. Frankly, I don't blame them. We're playing like crap, we're pitching like crap, we're hitting like crap. It's just awful baseball, and it's about time we start changing that."

Despite the mammoth beating, Chase Happel took some enjoyment with this, the first stolen base of his MLB career. (Hapshoops32)

Forget about New York's offense. Its pitching has been flat out offensive in the month of June. Sunday marked the sixth game out of 20 so far in the month during which the Yanks pitching staff allowed double digit runs.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus helped set the table in a big way, going 2-for-6 at the plate, knocking in two runs and stealing two bases. He was one of seven Texas batters who had a multi-hit game, although the team managed just four extra base hits out of 20 hits on the afternoon. One of those extra base hits came off the bat of Adrian Beltre, who smacked a three-run homer in the top of the fifth. That turned a comfortable 4-0 lead into a game that was pretty much out of reach at 7-0.

That run support was more than enough for Rangers starter Yu Darvish, who put together another gem of a performance. The right hander dominated throughout the contest and kept Yankees hitters off balance. Darvish gave up just five hits in eight innings of work, all while striking out 11 batters.

"You gotta give the guy credit," said New York Manager Joe Girardi. "As much as I hate to admit it, he was just in control of us from the very beginning. It's frustrating to watch our offense struggle so much, and to see how the pitchers are affected. But, everyone really needs to start picking up the pace and do their job."

There was one bright spot, a silver lining for New York, if you will. Rookie sensation Chase Happel managed to swipe the first bag of his Major League career Sunday afternoon. In addition, he picked up a single in four trips to the plate.

"We're starting to dig ourselves in a big hole. I know, I know, it's cliche. But, we are finding more ways to shoot our own two feet. Pretty soon, we're going to be in a hole that we won't be able to climb out of," said Happel.

The Yankees are facing the second four-game sweep of the month if they don't turn things around quickly and salvage the series finale at the Stadium on Monday afternoon.

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ROOKIE HAPPEL SAVES THE DAY WITH CLUTCH SINGLE

Yanks Survive in Extras After 9th Inning Blowup

BRONX, New York (Operation Sports) - Yankees shortstop Chase Happel caps a wild night with a base hit that scores Alex Rodriguez with two outs in the bottom of the tenth to give New York a dramatic 7-6 victory over Milwaukee.

It's been a difficult and frustrating season for both the Bronx Bombers and their fans. But after last night's crazy win, Happel talked about the potential impact such a game can have on a team.

"It's been a rough month, and a rough season so far. But, none of that matters right now. We showed a lot of heart coming back after getting into such a bad situation in the ninth inning. Even after we seemed to blow it, everyone had a positive attitude and refused to quit."

"It was nice to see our guys not give up like that. They had some fight in them tonight, and that is important," commented Yanks Manager Joe Girardi. "It means our season is far from over. But, what is really important now is what we do to build off of this. If we go on a 6 game losing streak, then this game didn't mean that much. But, if we instead go on a six game winning streak, well that's an entirely different story."

Tonight's story did not appear it was going to be all that interesting, nor did anyone expect a win over the Brewers would mean so much, given the way the contest went for the first eight innings. Milwaukee jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning. But, New York eventually got to Milwaukee starter Yovani Gallardo in the fifth inning. Scott Hairston smacked a solo homer to tie things up. Then, three straight singles by Eric Sogard, Alex Rodriguez and Brett Gardner gave the home nine the lead.

Two more runs in the sixth and an insurance run in the seventh that was started by Happel's one out single had the Yankees faithful feeling good about a second straight victory with a 5-2 advantage going into the ninth inning.

"Everything was looking great. Frankly, I felt like it was in the bag. And then, it fell apart. Again," said Rodriguez.

Just a couple of weeks after giving up seven runs in the ninth to blow a save and give Oakland a shocking 10-4 win, David Robertson and the Yanks were back at it again. New York's closer gave up a lead off single. Then, he got a pop out, which was followed by another single. A strikeout still had Robertson in good shape, even with the tying run at the plate. Ryan Braun didn't hit a home run. But, he did lace a single to right to load the bases. Instead, it was Carlos Gomez who would go deep and deliver another painful blow.

The grand slam silenced what was a screaming loud Yankee Stadium crowd. Clearly frustrated with what looked like another terrible loss, many people started heading for the exits.

It's a decision that many folks will surely regret tomorrow morning.

In the bottom of the ninth, Jacoby Ellsbury started the rally with a one out single. He would be out on a fielder's choice by the next batter, Brian McCann. Girardi decided to pinch run for McCann with a faster D.J. Peterson. That move would prove to be big, as Carlos Beltran doubled to the gap in right-center field, allowing Peterson to score the tying run all the way from first.


Happel launches the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 10th. (Hapshoops32)

"That was pretty cool to hear everyone in the stadium roaring, especially as I rounded third base. It gave me a shot of energy to get to the plate to tie the game," said Peterson.

The Yankees fans were suddenly re-ignited by the dramatic comeback, and their faith would be rewarded one inning later. It all started with another one out single by A-Rod. Gardner flied out, but Ramon Flores reached on what should have been an inning ending fly ball. Instead, Gomez, who smashed the go-ahead grand slam in the ninth, quickly turned into a goat when he lost the ball in the lights and dropped the ball.

That set the stage for New York's youngest player to come through in the clutch. Happel lined a 1-2 pitch to left field, and Rodriguez came charging home. The throw from Gomez was off line, and A-Rod scored the game winning run, sending Yankee Stadium into a frenzy.

"This really was a crazy game, maybe the craziest I've ever played in. But man, it sure feels awesome to be on the winning side of this one. And, to get the game winning hit, I mean, it's just unbelievable. The fans were awesome tonight, and I don't think I'm ever going to forget this one."

"I'm really glad that Chase came through like that for us," admitted Robertson, who suffered his third blown save of the season. "I felt awful after giving up that grand slam. I just wanted to crawl into a hole and hide. But, Chase and A-Rod and everyone else really picked me up tonight."

The ninth inning blowup wasted a terrific start by Ivan Nova, who hurled a solid eight innings, giving up just two earned runs while striking out eight batters. Still, the Bronx Bombers are assured of their first series win in nearly a month. And, they'll have a chance to get a sweep tomorrow afternoon.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT: A closer look at the walk-off single by Chase Happel that scored Alex Rodriguez

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JUNE UPDATE

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JUNE UPDATE

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JUNE UPDATE

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[CENTER]

#5 6/21 - Happel gets the 1st stolen base of his MLB career


#4 6/4 - A tremendous attempt at a diving stop


#3 6/15 - A nice spinning relay to complete the double play


#2 6/22 - Happel gets the diving stop and the out at first


#1 6/24 - Chase Happel's first walk-off RBI of his MLB career