Andujar walks off Yanks to 13th win in 14 games

NEW YORK -- On a night when three of the "Baby Bombers" showed off their muscle, CC Sabathia continued his renaissance and Miguel Andujar enjoyed the first game-winning hit of his young career, lifting the Yankees to a 7-6 victory over the Indians on Friday at Yankee Stadium.
The sizzling Yankees walked off to celebrate their 13th win in 14 games, supported by Gleyber Torres' first Major League home run and solo blasts from Aaron Judge and Gary Sánchez. The Yankees blew two leads late, but Andujar delivered in the ninth inning, flaring a two-out single to right field off Cody Allen to drive in the deciding run.
"To have the opportunity to help my team win in that moment, I feel excited for that," Andujar said. "I'm feeling good, getting that opportunity to play every day, and Gleyber, too. We enjoy coming to the park and we feel good. There are a lot of good players here and we compete every day."

Sabathia fired six scoreless innings before the Indians answered with a five-run eighth, tying the game as Bradley Zimmer hit a three-run homer off Chasen Shreve and José Ramírez belted a two-run shot off David Robertson. In the bottom of the frame, Alexi Ogando forced in a go-ahead run, losing Judge on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded that sent Andujar in to score.
Aroldis Chapman couldn't hold the lead in the ninth, charged with his first blown save after uncorking two wild pitches, one that clanged off umpire Tim Timmons' mask as Yan Gomes raced home with the tying run. Chapman said that he and Sanchez were crossed up, with Chapman throwing fastball and Sanchez expecting a slider.

"It's frustrating, especially in that moment in the game," Chapman said. "It's the possible end of the game right there. What we definitely don't want to have is that type of confusion in the moment."
Torres, Judge and Sanchez all homered off Josh Tomlin, who permitted five runs (four earned) and eight hits over seven innings. Torres' three-run shot in the fourth inning made him the youngest Yankee to homer since John Ellis in 1969, and Judge celebrated his own "Jedi Judge" Star Wars bobblehead night with a solo shot two batters later.

Speaking of Andujar and Torres, Judge said, "No moment is too big for them. It doesn't matter if it's the bottom of the ninth or their first at-bat. They always just stick to their plan, stick to their approach and get the job done. It's business as usual."

In the fifth, Sanchez reached the left-field bleachers with a projected 461-foot shot, per Statcast™, that was his ninth of the year and the Yankees' longest of the season. That appeared as though it would be plenty for Sabathia, who struck out seven and permitted just three hits in a 92-pitch effort, generating his usual brand of soft contact.

The veteran lefty reduced his ERA to 0.39 in four starts since returning from the disabled list, with the Yankees having won each of those games. Sabathia said that he has thoroughly savored watching the ongoing youth movement, and what's more, he believes this team can play even better as the year goes on.
"It's great," Sabathia said. "I think it started when Gary first came up [in 2016]. These young guys just come up, next guy up and they're ready to go. Gleyber, Miggy tonight, just from jump. The organization is doing a great job with these kids coming up, and they're producing."

MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Judge worked a professional at-bat against Ogando in the eighth, stepping in with the bases loaded and two outs. Judge took a big hack at the first pitch, a slider, then looked at the next two pitches and was down in the count 1-2. The bat didn't leave Judge's shoulder again, as he laid off a slider and two fastballs to force in the go-ahead run.
"I was able to watch a little video before that at-bat on what the pitcher had, so I felt confident up there in the box," Judge said. "I've just got to be in the moment, don't try to overthink it or do too much. Just go up there and try to get a job done. That's all I was thinking, especially with [Didi Gregorius] and "G" behind me. Try to get one I can drive, and if not, pass it on."

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Gregorius has been a key piece of the Yankees' early success, so there was significant concern as their shortstop lay prone on the infield dirt in the eighth inning. Gregorius dove to tag Francisco Lindor sliding into second base and was inadvertently kicked in the back of the head by Lindor's right foot.
Head athletic trainer Steve Donohue attended to Gregorius, who was cleared to remain in the game after making his teammates laugh.
"He asked me if I knew the day, and I go, 'May the Fourth be with you,'" Gregorius said.

MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
The Indians used a challenge in the fourth inning as Ramirez was thrown out attempting to steal third base by Sanchez, with Andujar slapping the tag on the runner as he came in headfirst. After a replay review, it was determined the call on the field would stand.

UP NEXT
Sonny Gray continued to show positive signs in his most recent outing, which he hopes will carry over as he faces the Indians on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium. Gray (1-2, 6.67 ERA) is expected to partner with backup catcher Austin Romine, with whom he has been teamed in his last two starts. Gray has raved about Romine's adaptability and communication. Trevor Bauer (2-2, 2.45 ERA) is scheduled to start for Cleveland.