Murphy Rides Yanks to Victory

Back up catcher John Ryan Murphy came through not once, but twice in today's afternoon matinee against the offensively abled Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as he collected two big hits. First, a two run single in the second inning with two outs to get his first two RBI of the season. In his next at bat against lefty Hector Santiago, Murphy drilled a ball into the left field seats for his first big league homer to give the Yankees a 4-3 lead which would be the final score of the game. Without Murphy, the Yankees would have likely lost this game so it goes to prove that one player can make the difference, even the 25th man on the roster. Murphy has looked a lot better behind the plate and at the plate this season. He struggled in 2013, coming up to the Major Leagues for the first time and making mental errors on the field several times. Other than Murphy today, the only Yankee run came on a balk with the bases loaded in the second inning. The offense was largely quiet this afternoon, much like the Stadium throughout the game.

Yankee starter Vidal Nuno surrendered a first inning homer to Mike Trout and gave up a couple of more runs in the fourth inning, so he did not factor into the decision today. Dellin Betances won his first Major League game today after pitching two scoreless innings in which he struck out three batters. Shawn Kelley also pitched a scoreless 1.1 innings before handing over the ball to Matt Thornton in the eighth to get out Raul Ibanez. Ultimately, David Robertson notched his third save of the year and first since before he went on the disabled list. It took Robertson 26 pitches, but he got the job done, leaving Trout on second base after walking the young star with one out for Albert Pujols, who flied out to left field. Robertson struck out Howie Kendrick to end the game and with this save, Robertson has passed another test. He saved a one-run game and did so against the heart of the Angels lineup.

In tomorrow afternoon's night game, star rookie Masahiro Tanaka will face off against Garrett Richards (another lefty) as the Yankees look to take two of three from the Angels to open this homestand.