The New York Yankees entered last night’s game with the Rangers with the same urgency that they did in game one, knowing that a wild-card berth was on the line in that race that both the Red Sox and Toronto presently own. The Yankees had only 11 games to get back into it. The Yankees came away with their second win over the Rangers 7-1.
Montgomery gets the job done
Yankee pitcher Jordan Montgomery did a fine job last night holding down the Texas Rangers. “Monty” had all his pitches working. Montgomery pitched into the sixth inning, allowing 4 hits and one earned run while striking out six Rangers with only one walk. Montgomery got the win in the 7-1 game.
Yankees reliever Michael King retired cleanup batter Adolis Garcia with a runner on second to hold the Rangers at 3-1 in the sixth and then struck out all three batters in the seventh looking.
The home run is king again
Last week in a game against the Cleveland Indians, the Yankees hit five home runs in the same game. Brett Gardner homered. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton hit homers. However, Joey Gallo topped them by hitting two long balls. Last night Gallo again was among three Yankees to hit homers in the 7-1 win over the Texas Rangers. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge also hit homers in the game. When Stanton and Judge homer in the same game the Yankees are 15-1.
In the past two weeks, the New York Yankees have hit 33 home runs in 14 games. That’s 2.4 home runs per game. It is often said when the Yankees hit home runs, they win games. Seven of those home runs are from one player, Joey Gallo. If the Yankee power-hitting continues it bodes well for a wild card berth.
The Return of a superstar
Last night was the joyous return of 2018 ace Luis Severino. Severino was 14-6 during the 2017 season and 19-8 in 2018 making him the Yankees best pitcher in those seasons. Then came 2019, the righty pitched in only 3 games before requiring Tommy John surgery. So with the shortened 2020 season, he was expected not to pitch. However, most thought he was to be back to pitch sometime before the All-Star break this year. But that was not to be as he was beset by setbacks.
Last night he made his triumphant return to the Yankees. After being activated on Monday, he appeared in this first game yesterday after not pitching in a major league game for over 700 days. He saved the Yankee bullpen by pitching the final two innings of the game. He allowed two hits, no walks while striking out two. He looked great in his 2021 debut outing and was showered with applause from the Yankees faithful in the stands.
Although he is not stretched out, he could play a pivotal role out of the bullpen for a spot opening role in the remaining games and in the postseason should the Yankees participate.