From Our Contributors, Sports

Yanks Salvage Split Shutout Jays

Severino K’s Vlad 3 Times
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon 
 
By Andrew Rosario
 
Kiner-Felefa A Perfect 3 for 3
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
 
When the Toronto Blue Jays arrived at Yankee Stadium yesterday, they probably felt like they were playing another home game. Could you blame them? Last year, the Jays took 8 of 10 games at the home Steinbrenner built. Toronto took 2 of the first 3 games of the 4-game series and were looking to add another win last night. Fortunately, New York sent Luis Severino to the mound and he didn’t disappoint. The night before, Vlad Guerrero blasted 3-home runs. By the end of the night, Severino shut him and the rest of the Toronto offense down throwing 5-innings of shutout ball, giving up only 2-hits while striking out 6. Manager Aaron Boone used 6 relievers with Lucas Luetge striking out 3 in the 
3-0 Yankees win splitting the series. 
 
 
 
 
If you looked at the box score without knowing the result, you would have thought the Yankees had lost the game. The first 7 starters were a combined 3 for 25 with only 1 rbi (Giancarlo Stanton) but the last two starters came up with clutch hits.
 
Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa was a perfect 3 for 3 and catcher Jose Trevino was 2 for 3 driving in 2. Before the game the 8th and 9th slot had not been productive getting only 3 hits in 42 at-bats. Kinder-Falefa had a different mind set entering the game. “The first couple of games, l was very tentative,” he would say afterwards. “I was letting a lot of pitches go. Today, something clicked. I was more aggressive.”
 
Severino had a front row seat as Guerrero treated the Yankee fans to three souvenirs. By the end of the night, he got the best of Vlad striking him out all 3 time he faced him. 
 
Severino is coming off Tommy John surgery and was solid in his second start. He retired 11 of the last 12 batters he faced. “I’ve been away a long time,” he said. “I want to go out there and compete. I want to show the fans l still have it.”
 
The New York Yankees (4-3) begin a 3-game series in Baltimore (1-4) tonight against the Orioles. Jordan Montgomery will make his second start for the Pinstripes as will Jordan Lyles for the Birds.