New York Yankees now just 4 games out
The New York Yankees have been playing great ball since the All-Star Break. Since July 17, they have gone 25 and 8 during the period. The Yankees had won their last seven series culminating with a sweep of the Boston Red Sox when they overtook them for a playoff berth. However, last night the Yankees won their eighth game in a row, and the Tampa Bay Rays lost to the White Sox, moving the Yankees just four games short of a tie in the AL East.
“Nasty” Nestor does it again
Nasty Nestor was nasty again last night. Nestor Cortes had another great performance yesterday, pitching seven innings of 2 run ball while walking two and striking out seven. His ERA is now 2.56 after winning his longest and 2nd win of the season. He had an excellent command of his pitches with a great life.
Nestor Cortes Jr. was primarily a reliever pitching in 15 games since he was brought up on May 30 from the Scranton Wilkes/Barre Rail Riders. With the loss of Corey Kluber, he made his first start on July 9th against the Houston Astros; he pitched 4.1 innings of scoreless ball, impressing the Yankees. Unfortunately, in his next several starts, he, like other Yankees pitchers, didn’t get much run support. During the period, he has been stretched out, pitching seven full innings last night. Nevertheless, he has won his last two games against the White Sox and last night against the Minnesota Twins. His excellent pitching will likely keep him around even when the rotation is back to full force.
Home run again king
Even though the New York Yankees are now winning games without hitting home runs, the team is built around the home run ball. Again last night, the home run was king in the win. Last night slugger Aaron Judge led it off with a 2 run home run in the second inning off Twin’s starter Charlie Barnes. In the seventh inning, Luke Voit contributed his own home run, and in the eighth inning, DJ LeMahieu hit his eighth of the season.
Brett Gardner and Gleyber Torres injury news
The Yankee’s veteran and iron man Brett Gardner was hit in the elbow by a pitch in the fifth inning. Although visibly painful, Gardner stayed in the game until he was relieved by Tyler Wade in the seventh. Manager Boone said Gardner indicated that it really stiffened up, and Boone wanted to get some ice on it and start treatment. However, Boone also said he didn’t expect tests to be done and see how he was today.
Gleyber Torres is on the way back from his jammed finger suffered on August 8th against Seattle. Torres has begun his rehab with an important first step. Yesterday before the game, he took dry swings and fielded ground balls at the Stadium. Boone said that he still had some pain but that the swelling and gone down in this thumb, allowing him to get started on the rehab process. However, Boone declined to give a date for his return into the lineup.
Note:
Tonight Yankee ace Gerrit Cole will take the mound facing the Minnesota Twins’ Kenta Maeda in a 1:05 pm matinee at Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on FS1.