MLB LOOK AHEAD

Yanks, Tigers looking for timely hits to begin series

Field Level Media

April 01, 2019 at 5:54 am.

Mar 31, 2019; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a two RBI single against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 31, 2019; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a two RBI single against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The difference was the number of opportunities to produce timely hits.

Coming off some struggles in their respective season-opening series, the Yankees and Tigers get together Monday night in the opener of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees lost two of three to the Orioles but faced plenty of chances to get the sweep. In the three games, the Yankees batted .277 (28-for-101) but went 6-for-29 with runners in scoring position in a series where they drew 22 walks.

The Yankees won the first game 7-2 but in subsequent 5-3 and 7-5 losses, they were 5-for-21 with runners in scoring position and stranded 25 baserunners.

“We’re creating those opportunities, and that’s one part I feel good about,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after the Yankees waited out a lengthy rain delay before losing when pinch hitter Troy Tulowitzki struck out representing the winning run with two on.

“Up and down the lineup, we are getting those chances, we just got to break through with a big hit or whatever it might. That’s where we’re at right now.

Gary Sanchez homered Sunday, Aaron Judge hit a two-run single and DJ LeMahieu hit an RBI single for the Yankees, who have struck out 31 times.

Detroit was able to get a split in Toronto despite going 24 innings without a run at one point.

The Tigers won the series opener 2-0 on a 10th-inning homer by rookie Christin Stewart on Thursday and then went scoreless until Jordy Mercer drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh Sunday. Detroit went on to claim a 4-3 victory when Nicolas Castellanos delivered an RBI single in the 11th after the Tigers blew a three-run lead.

“That was a huge win for us,” Mercer said. “I’m not talking record-wise. I’m talking about momentum. I’m talking (about) coming together as a team, not giving up. That’s what good teams are made of.”

Castellanos’ hit and five hits by Jeimer Candelario out of the leadoff spot capped a weekend where the Tigers batted .155 (21-for-135) with 50 strikeouts. Detroit also went 3-for-21 with runners in scoring position and Candelario was 1-for-12 before manager Ron Gardenhire moved him up in the lineup.

As of Sunday, the Yankees had not announced Monday’s starting pitcher, but they are expected to employ the “opener,” which may be Chad Green.

One pitcher expected to appear at some point will be Domingo German, who was 2-6 with a 5.57 ERA in 21 appearances last season.

After Matt Moore pitched seven shutout innings Sunday, Tyson Ross is slated to make his debut for the Tigers, who signed him to a one-year deal in December. Ross struggled during spring training, allowing 15 runs (12 earned) in 21 innings during six exhibition starts.

Ross is returning to the American League after splitting last season with San Diego and St. Louis. He was 6-9 with a 4.45 ERA in 22 starts for the Padres and went 2-0 with a 2.73 ERA in nine appearances (one start) with the Cardinals.

Ross owns a 43-65 record, and when he pitched in the American League for Oakland and Texas, he was 9-21 with a 5.92 ERA in 65 appearances (31 starts).

The right-hander is 0-3 with a 6.88 ERA in six career appearances (two starts) against the Yankees. His last start against the Yankees occurred Aug. 3, 2013, in San Diego when he struck out nine, allowed two runs and three hits in six-plus innings of a 3-0 loss.

Ross’ His last appearance in New York was as a reliever in the 14th inning for Oakland on Sept. 22, 2012.

“There’s no easy days out here in the big leagues,” Ross said. “Whatever team it is you’re facing, it’s professional hitters. It’s a good squad, and I’m looking forward to going out there and attacking those guys tomorrow night.”

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