Yanks Bats Still Stink In 5-2 Loss To Reds

Reds (21-19) starter Johnny Cueto breezed through the Yankees (21-20) lineup on Sunday afternoon, outdueling C.C. Sabathia. Cueto went seven strong innings gave up two runs on eight hits and struck out five. Sabathia went seven innings as well, gave up three runs on six hits and struck out six, but failed to hold the two run lead the Yankees gave him in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Neither team could manage to get a run across until that bottom of the sixth when the Yankees scored their only runs of the game.  Robinson Cano led off the inning with a double in the left-center field gap and Raul Ibanez would bring him home with a two run home run putting the Yankees up 2-0. Ibanez now has nine home runs and 27 RBI.

That would be all for the Yankees, not surprising though, they are a dismal 6 for their last 54 with runners in scoring position.

In the top of the seventh that lead would vanish. Sabathia gave up a leadoff home run to Ryan Ludwick, his fourth of the year. Two batters later Ryan Hanigan hit his first home run of the season tying the game at two. Zack Cozart singled and then Sabathia gave up back to back walks to Drew Stubbs and Joey Votto loading the bases. Sabathia continued to have control issues walking Brandon Phillips to give the Reds a 3-2 lead.

In the top of the ninth the Reds would put the game out of reach scoring two more runs. Cory Wade gave up two singles to Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce and was then pulled for Rafael Soriano. The first batter Soriano faced was Ryan Ludwick who doubled bringing in both Phillips and Bruce and put the Reds on top 5-2.

Reds flamethrower Aroldis Chapman picked up his first save of the season.

The Yankees play again on Monday night hosting the Kansas City Royals. Hiroki Kuroda (3-5 4.50) starts for the Yankees while Felipe Paulino (1-1 1.93) goes for the Royals. Pregame starts at 6:30, first pitch at 7:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.