It was rough going the first six innings of this game, but the Yankees woke up just about the time all of their hometown fans were falling asleep. They had the bases loaded, walked in a run, but couldn’t get more with that opportunity in the 7th. It took a big inning from David Robertson, and then a huge hit from the Yankees’ hottest hitter (LUKE VOIT) to give them the lead that they never relinquished.

These games against Oakland matter more than any other regular season games the Yankees have left, considering they’ll probably have to play in the Wild Card Game against them.

GOOD

J.A. Happ’s 8 pitch 1st inning.

Mengden’s sweet stache.

Yanks turning double plays.

Neil Walker’s hustle to ensure he reached on the error in the 6th.

Gleyber Torres killing the no-hitter with a 2-out single in the 6th.

Severino goofing around with Gleyber in the dugout, trying to keep his mind off the mistake he’d made the inning previous.

Ken Singleton did a lot to keep the broadcast entertaining tonight, and I’m glad he’ll be returning next season. I especially liked his line about Bernie calling for the latest timeouts possible while batting, so he could mess with pitchers.

Neil Walker moving to 3B, and then making a tough play the first chance he gets. Hech(avarria) did the same thing when the ball came to him the very next out.

Hechavarria hitting a 1-run shot after they played Shinsuke Nakamura’s theme over the P.A. speakers in Oakland (probably for their pitcher). Adeiny’s first with the Yanks.

Betances acting like it’s no big thing pitching the 9th after what happened last time.

BAD

Yankees go down 1-2-3 to start the game. To be fair, they scored early and lost yesterday, so maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.

Luke Voit falling on his bum for the final out of the 1st. He was laughing, but I think we were all sweating for a second there.

Yankees only seeing 8 pitches in the 2nd inning, just after Happ had a 7 pitch 1st.

Piscotty hitting a homer, and me having to hear Kay pronounce the name “Piscotty” more than he’d normally have to.

Yankees went down 1-9 to start the game for what I believe is the third time in the last five games. Terrible. The no hitter continued into the 6th, and they still only had the minimum number of batters (18) through those 6 innings.

Lead-off walk to start Happ’s 3rd.

YES showing some A jogging off the field, instead of a replay of the 4-6-3 double play.

Yankees getting no hit, and Kay is cracking Chris Davis/Orioles jokes.

Aaron Hicks giving up a 1 pitch out bunt during the A’s no-hitter.

The guy (Chapman) that Kay/Kenny have been calling the best 3B in baseball for two games throws the ball away, and gives the Yankees their first baserunner.

THE DREADED GIDP on both their first baserunners. (Sanchez, 5th and LOUIS, 6th)

Gleyber wasting the Yankees only hit (at the time) by getting picked off at 1B.

Andujar and Gary striking out with bases juiced, and then Walker popping out to end the inning. The Yankees tied it, but had a sweet chance to take the lead, and blew it.

The 30 minute wait between the 6th and 7th leading to Happ getting cold, and not being able to get an out in the 7th. The man threw a 2 hitter in 6+ innings, and still didn’t have the lead due to his fellow Yankees failing to get him one.

LOUIS, Gleyb, and Stanton’s K’s in the 9th. They all had great at-bats other times in the game, but their final strikeouts were pretty ugly.

YANKEE

J.A. Happ with a one hitter after 6, and him inducing double plays on his lead-off walk and HBP’s.

Brett Gardner lead-off hit in the 7th against Buchter, who he’d seen in the previous inning, before Gleyber was thrown out. The guy nearly hit Gardner in the head, so I’m glad he got a hit off him for that reason, along with every other reason, like the Yankees need some stinking hits.

Stanton’s first hit of the series, and first back-to-back hit for the team all game, and then McCutchen having a great at-bat that led to loading the bases on a walk. Hicks walking in the tying run made it all worth something.

David Robertson getting 4 strikeouts (only 3 will count) in the 7th, due to a bad call on a the Khris Davis walk.

Luke “LOUIS” Voit’s 8th homer, but also his f’n energy. This guy gets PUMPED, and I love it. This guy isn’t on fire, he is fire.

Gleyber getting on-base for his second straight at-bat with a walk. He was caught slipping after his hit, but he usually digs himself out of holes during the games he got himself in the hole.

Hicks with the hit with a RISP, giving the Yankees an extra run on the lead. Not sure what McCutchen was doing getting caught between 2B and 3B, but it may have been Phil Nevin’s fault. Gardner running in-place of Gleyber due to a ground out worked out well, as the run scored with ease.

The Oriole coming in with a lead, and getting 3 quick outs. The defense helped him, and sometimes it screws him, so it balanced out a little.

Gardy adding another hit with RISP late in the game.

Yankees 3 Stars of the Game

* J.A. Happ (6+ IP, 1 ER, 5 K)

** LOUIS Voit (8th HR, Game winning RBI & Run)

*** Brett Gardner (2 H, 2 R, 1 RBI)