Mercer took the second pitch he saw from Sabathia - an 86 miles per hour slider - and sent it into the grass just beyond the centerfield wall. "To feel it like that off that caliber of a pitcher, especially one that's been on a run, is definitely cool".
Besides Sabathia not being sharp, the Yankees were done in by second baseman Starlin Castro, who cost his club two runs by dropping a two-out pop-up in the seventh-inning of a one-run game.
In Friday's installment of this set, the Pirates scored four runs in the first two innings on the way to a 6-3 victory.
The Yankees started their second trip of the season with a rare visit to Pittsburgh, eager to build off an 8-1 homestand fueled by pitching and power. Neither showed up against the Pirates. Osuna bobbled a ball in right field, allowing the Yankees to score their first run.
The Yankees have been playing better than expected this season overall.
On offense, NY has some key players helping out. "We've got to take advantage of them".
Juan Nicasio (1-2) picked up the win in relief.
The Yankees again put two on in the ninth on a pair of two-out hits, but Aaron Judge grounded out to short to end the game representing the tying run. The 36-year-old regularly hit 92-93 miles per hour on the gun during his first three starts.
Oil edges higher as OPEC boost offsets dent from US supply
According to the EIA, refineries continued to increase their production with the degree of capacity in use rising to 92.9%. Due to the long period of low energy prices, the authorities of the oil states are trying to find other sources of income.
Sabathia lasted five innings, allowing four runs and seven hits, both season highs.
The Pittsburgh Pirates had to answer a lot of pre-game questions about this week's big loss before their first home game since All-Star center fielder Starling Marte was suspended for 80 games due to a positive PED test. In the bottom of the second, Jose Osuna registered his first career hit, a triple in the right center field gap.
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, left, scores the second of two runs on an error committed by Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Josh Harrison on a ball hit by New York Yankees' Greg Bird during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 21, 2017.
The story of the night from the longterm perspective for the Pirates was more quality work from Glasnow, who has rebounded from an terrible regular-season debut and a rough first inning in his second start of the season. Castro put up two hits on Friday, while Jacoby Ellsbury managed three hits and a run. Glasnow needed 102 pitches to get 14 outs. Manager Joe Girardi said Sanchez needs to be able to throw 120 feet comfortably before thinking about a rehab assignment. In his three starts this year, Pineda has a 2-1 record, a 3.44 ERA and 23 Ks in 18.1 innings. Gregorious is out with a strained right (throwing) shoulder.
The Penguins held a moment of silence and did an emotional video tribute to Rooney prior to a home playoff game last week. In addition the Steelers logo was painted behind the pitcher's mound, with Rooney's initials DMR.
Saturday: Yankees at Pittsburgh Pirates, 4:05 p.m.; RHP Michael Pineda (2-1, 3.44) vs. RHP Jameson Taillon (1-0, 0.90), WPIX.
All of the runs came off Pirates starter Tyler Glasnow, though just one was earned.
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