Yankees’ Rodriguez sits out despite big numbers vs Colon

Slumping Alex Rodriguez was back on the New York Yankees’ bench Thursday night despite whopping career numbers against Mets starter Bartolo Colon, a move that startled the 43-year-old pitcher. He’s been doing it for a long time. “For a guy that’s thrown 19 innings in the last 10 days, at 43 years old, that’s a pretty impressive outing”.

He’s also been really good this year and the Mets would be lost without him.

Added Brett Gardner, who was hitless in three at-bats against Colon: “When you watch video of him, watch him on TV or in game action, there’s not a whole lot of “wow” factor in there….”

Far be it for me to be a hater, but at a certain point we should consider treating Colon like an accomplished, well-rounded athlete and not someone’s kid brother. He allowed two runs and three hits in six innings and walked six – matching his career high. Colon escaped a two-on, no-out jam in the second while retiring 13 of 14 batters.

Addison Reed pitched a flawless eighth and Jeurys Familia worked around a pair of one-out singles for his 38th save in 40 chances, retiring Rob Refsnyder on a game-ending double-play grounder over the third-base bag.

Johnson lined the first pitch from Nathan Eovaldi (9-8) in the fifth over the right-field wall. With two outs, Bruce homered.

Treating every single thing he does as if it’s an adorable bit of goofiness moves from amusing to demeaning at some point. “I make plenty of outs”. The Yankees lead their city rivals 62-46 in regular-season interleague play and beat them in the 2000 World Series. He raced into the right-center gap for a diving, backhanded catch to rob Didi Gregorius in the fourth.

With A-Rod’s struggles now equaling a.204/.252/.356 slash with nine home runs and 29 RBIs, the Yankees have opted for prospect Gary Sanchez to take his place in the lineup for the foreseeable future, although general manager Brian Cashman said he has no plans to release Rodriguez. Of his 99 hits this season, 54 have been for extra bases. Collins said he’d never overseen a team hit so hard by injuries.

Mets: RHP Noah Syndergaard (9-5, 2.48) faces the Tigers for the first time.

Span led off the 10th by sending a 95 miles per hour fastball from Severino Gonzalez (0-2) just inside the right-field foul pole, his third hit of the game.

ATHLETICS 8, ANGELS 6 (10) Yonder Alonso hit a tiebreaking RBI double in the 10th inning to lead visiting Oakland to a victory over Los Angeles, avoiding a three-game sweep and snapping a five-game losing streak. Chicago won for only the second time in eight games. Mike Napoli and Brandon Guyer are the only Cleveland batters who have hit against Pineda.