The Sports Xchange
Jun 21, 2017
NEW YORK -- Austin Romine tied a career high with three hits, including a two-run double in the sixth inning, and the New York Yankees snapped a seven-game losing streak with an 8-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday.
Romine's fifth career three-hit game helped the Yankees stop their longest losing streak since April 2007 and avoid dropping an eighth straight gamest for the first time since Aug. 19-26, 1995.
Didi Gregorius hit a two-run homer and Matt Holliday became the fifth active player to reach 1,200 career RBIs when he hit a solo homer.
Aaron Hicks, Starlin Castro and Chase Headley added RBI singles for insurance runs.
Martin Maldonado hit a pair of two-run homers for the Angels, who were held to seven hits after getting 14 in the series opener. The Angels lost for the 19th time in their last 23 visits to Yankee Stadium.
Neither starter completed the sixth, but Jordan Montgomery (5-4) did enough. The rookie left-hander allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Ricky Nolasco (2-9) lost a career-high seventh straight start as he allowed five runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He became the third pitcher in the majors to reach nine losses.
After the Yankees took the lead on Holliday's homer, they added three in the sixth. Romine doubled to deep center field for a 5-2 lead and Hicks added a run-scoring infield hit.
The lead increased to 7-2 when Holliday opened the seventh and scored on Castro's base hit up the middle with nobody out in the seventh. Castro scored the final run on Headley's single.
Maldonado made it 8-4 when he homered to right field off struggling reliever Tyler Clippard in the ninth. Clippard was booed off the mound, but Aroldis Chapman quickly secured the win.
The Yankees took a 2-0 lead with one out in the second when Gary Sanchez singled and Gregorius followed by hitting a first-pitch curveball into the right field seats. The Yankees had a chance for more by putting two on, but Nolasco retired Hicks with Aaron Judge on deck.
The Angels tied the score with two outs in the fourth when Maldonado slugged a full-count slider into the left field seats for a two-run homer.
The Yankees regained the lead with two outs in the fifth. After Judge struck out while Hicks was caught stealing, Holliday hit a 2-2 fastball into the right field seats.
NOTES: Angels manager Mike Scioscia said CF Mike Trout (UCL, left thumb) did not experience any difficulties when he took dry swings Tuesday. Scioscia said the team would get a better feel when Trout continues his activities this weekend. ... New York 1B Greg Bird (bruised right ankle) visited Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C., and was given a cortisone shot. The Yankees believe Bird can resume baseball activities within three to five days. ... Angels RHP Huston Street (strained right lat) is with the team and could be activated off the disabled list Thursday after missing the entire season so far. ... CF Jacoby Ellsbury (concussion) took batting practice for the first time since getting hurt May 24 and could begin a rehab assignment shortly.