Yanks Blanked in Game One

Justin Masterson was as dominant as any pitcher the Yankees have faced this year. The tall righty pitched a complete game shutout against the Yankees, just the first one thrown against the Yankees since last August when Felix Hernandez did so at Yankee Stadium. The only time that Masterson was in trouble came in the second inning when he loaded the bases but struck out Alberto Gonzales to end the inning, and essentially the offensive game for the Yankees in the first part of a double dip today. This is a game where you have to tip your cap to the opposing starting pitcher. The Yankees were out in a great position to win this ball game but the Indians had other ideas. Things like this happen, and when they do it is not a great feeling. The Yankees would have taken Phelps' performance every day of the week.

David Phelps was strong today after the fourth inning. The scoring for the game came in the first inning on a majestic home run by second baseman Jason Kipnis. Phelps went 6.2 innings, throwing 115 pitches and allowing just the one run. Phelps struggled initially, allowing five walks on the day but settled down after walking two men in the fourth inning. He would retire his next ten batters before allowing a double in the seventh inning. 

The Yankees have some work to do, as they don't want to get swept in a double header against a team they pounded in April. Vidal Nuno will make his first major league start. This will be the first time he's pitched since the end of April, so his command of the strike zone will be something the Yankees will be keeping track of. Trevor Bauer will make the start against the Yankees. Bauer has never faced the Yankees as he was traded to Cleveland from the Diamondbacks in the off-season.