New York Yankees Offense Explodes In Atlanta

Coming into Atlanta this weekend, the New York Yankees offense was in a funk, scoring a total of just four runs in their three-game series with the Houston Astros. The Yankees were able to shake themselves out of their hitting doldrums and scored 38 runs in three games against the Braves, including a 20-run outburst on Sunday.

Braves starter Julio Teheran lasted just 4-and-one-third innings as he gave up eight earned runs on nine hits and three walks. The Yankees blasted three home runs off Teheran, one each by Jacoby Ellsbury, Chase Headley, and Stephen Drew. The bullpen threw gasoline on the fire by allowing nine runs in the seventh and three more in the eighth. Jake Brigham was left in the game to take some abuse. He tossed 59 pitches over 1-and-two-thirds innings allowing nine hits, four walks, and eight earned runs.

It was good news all around for the Yankees. Nathan Eovaldi struggled a bit in his five innings of work, but still came away with his 15th win of the season. Ellsbury, who hasn’t hit for much power this season, hit his seventh home run of the season and drove in three runs. Headley, who also has been a little short on power, hit his tenth home run and had four RBI. Drew went four for four and raised his batting average to.201 while driving in four runs of his own.

The game between the Yankees and the Braves started out on a somber as the Braves held a moment of silence for Gregory Murrey, the 60-year-old season ticket holder who fell out of the upper deck on Saturday and died later that evening. Yahoo is reporting that the team flew the flag at half-staff and the team released this statement about the incident.

”Greg was a valued and longtime season-ticket holder and an incredibly passionate Braves fan. This tragic loss is felt throughout Braves Country, and the thoughts and prayers of the entire Braves organization continue to go out to his family and friends.”

With the win the Yankees were able to keep pace with the red hot Toronto Blue Jays and stay just 1-and-a-half games behind in the American League East. The Yankees will now head to Boston to take on the Red Sox for a three game series starting on Monday.

Do you think the New York Yankees or the Toronto Blue Jays will prevail in the A.L. East?

[Image by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images]