NEW YORK- It was a grinding process, but the Yankees take care of business and took down the Pirates 2-0. Beginning from an absolute masterpiece in the return of Max Fried. He without a doubt could have gone deeper into the game, but first game back you’re just not going to push it. It really didn’t have an impact though because the bullpen was nailed once again. From Chivilli-BlackBurn-Warren-Hill. Oh yes, Will Warren out of the bullpen. Couldn’t get it done, but Tim Hill picked him up. Great series win, and it is onto Philly for a 3-game set this weekend.
NOTE: Rotation is being shuffled up with Fried back, and that’s part of Warren appearing out of the bullpen.
Fried’s Outing
What a job from Max Fried in his return tonight. Very stellar all the way around. He was able to grind out 7 K’s through only 5 innings of work. Has excellent usage of that changeup using it a good amount to throw that strike getting back into the count. The velocity never seemed to fade, as if you know Fried that is why he is so good because of his capability to pitch to any situation. No matter that is having to get a groundball or pitch the heat. He lives for the moment. I very much loved how he looked to have an approach he knew what he wanted to do and just kept on going batter after batter. Complete control, and had the top of the order of the Pirates lineup really shut down. The cutter tonight is one thing I do not want getting overlooked. It felt to have more life to it with ride more than it seemed to have in early April. The next start more than likely will come in Chicago against the White Sox.
Final Line: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K (2.97 ERA)
Very Good Work From Angel Chivilli and Paul Blackburn
Two very good pieces in this bullpen as of late continued to show their dominant ways tonight. Angel Chivilli has been a real eye-catcher for about two weeks now. Pitching this season to a 0.79 ERA with 12 K in 9 games. Really good stuff being acquired from Colorado this offseason. The has really been able to find a good consistent zone moving to more right of the mound. The slider has been nothing but superior and staying and 93 MPH, and the dragging fastball did top 100 last outing. Really do expect him and would love for Boone to be asked upon this situation, if Chivilli is going to start being used as a high-leverage late inning guy. The stuff is there, and he is still young, what a great find from this front office. Then, Blackburn continued what he has been doing all season just being a different type of pitcher you don’t see every day in the bullpen, which I think is another reason for the Yankees bullpen success this season showing pitchers from all angles and forms. Blackburn won’t come in and throw heat past you. He uses his mix so well to get weak contact and provide K’s on his stability. Eats up inning’s or even it’s to get some big outs you can really say he has been a top underrated reliever in the whole league.
Big Hits From Dominguez and Volpe
Bats were quiet most of the game, and it felt it was going to be a repeat of what we have seen as of late. This offense was lost against Chandler really until that 7th inning. Although it was very questionable in that bottom of the 7th when Don Kelly took out Chandler after striking out Goldschmidt to get the first out, but then not that only he then brought a guy with a 6 ERA. Jasson Dominguez who has kept up his success against lefties this season actually better than his numbers against righties, came through on ripping a first pitch changeup all the way to the left field corner and with a good hustle from Bellinger he scored. Very much needed clutch moment for this team and a struggling Dominguez, breaking a 1-0 tie. Then, Volpe knocked in Dominguez with an RBI knock. Ended up being enough to win the game and the series. If Dominguez can just continue that way of play he can be good, but he needs to do it fast.
One roster move following this game. Optioning Spencer Jones back down as he was the “27th man” for today’s doubleheader
Yankees will be off tomorrow as they head to Philly and begin a three-game set Friday night at 6:45 PM EST on Apple TV.
Pitching Matchup: Yankees TBA VS. Phillies Jesus Luzardo (9-4, 3.43 ERA)