But what if the Yankees’ fate came down to one game with Paxton? He was especially frustrated by the chronic early turbulence — highlighted by Blackmon’s home run — and the complete collapse two-plus innings later. By then the Yankees were trailing, 7-1, turning the rest of the afternoon into a contest of who could survive the 100-degree heat. Large swaths of Yankee Stadium were empty in the later innings; the fans had either decided that the Yankees’ winning streak was indeed over, or else they just needed air-conditioning. The Yankees unsurprisingly picked up all their runs via the long ball — on home runs by D.J.

Source: New York Times July 21, 2019 23:48 UTC