Until the Yankees' leadoff hitter Brett Gardner walked into the batter's box, the commentators finally refocused on the game:
"Bottom of the fifth inning, the Yankees' lineup rotates again—wondering if they can seize the opportunity this time, not saying they will complete an epic comeback, but at least prevent this national spotlight battle from losing suspense too early..."
Gardner has been feeling quite good hitting against Charlie Morton today, with 1 hit and 1 hit-by-pitch walk in the first two at-bats, currently the only Yankees player who has reached base in both at-bats.
And in this entire game's third at-bat, Gardner capitalized on Morton's average endurance, which can't handle large innings, and once again hit a single from Morton, whose pitch count exceeded 80 balls before finishing the 5th inning:
