After a robust 2023 debut, Gerrit Cole shoved once more. Gleyber Torres, in the meantime, continued his scorching begin to the season. But it was catcher Jose Trevino who put the nail within the Phillies’ coffin because the Bombers beat Philadelphia, 4-2, in a series-deciding sport on Wednesday afternoon.
With the Yankees already up 2-1 within the seventh inning, Trevino lined a two-run homer to left subject, his first longball of the season. The shot, which got here off a slider from Phillies reliever Gregory Soto, gave the Yankees a fascinating cushion after the Phillies discovered their approach onto the scoreboard earlier within the body.
Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber hit a solo homer within the eighth, however that was essentially the most Philadelphia’s offense may muster.
Prior to Trevino’s house run, Torres picked up a pair of RBI singles within the first and sixth innings. He added a double within the eighth, and he additionally stole two bases on the day. Torres is now hitting .421 with two dingers, six RBI and 5 swipes over six video games to start out the 12 months.
“[He’s] just been really patient, under control at-bats,” Aaron Boone mentioned of Torres. “That’s what he’s capable of. We’ve seen that. Hopefully, we’re seeing a guy that’s really starting to enter the prime of his career.”
On the mound, Cole outdueled Phillies ace Aaron Nola. The Yankees’ No. 1 starter went 6.1 innings, permitting three hits, one earned run, three walks and eight strikeouts over 103 pitches. One of the walks got here on a pitch clock violation, which coincidentally ended Cole’s day.
“I feel like he’s been in a good spot since day one of spring training, and he’s carried it right into the season,” Boone mentioned of Cole. “[He] had a little bit of everything going today. I thought his fastball was really good command-wise. The changeup continues to be a factor for him. Both breaking balls – he was sharp.”
Nola allowed seven hits, three earned runs and one stroll whereas hanging out 5 on 87 pitches.
“It’s exciting,” Cole mentioned of lining up in opposition to one other top-of-rotation pitcher. “I mean, Nola’s great. He’s great. The Phillies are great. Their lineup’s a joke; they’re so good. So I knew this was gonna be a fun scrap for the rubber game. Fortunately, we were able to come out on top.”
Once Cole exited, right-handers Jonathan Loaisiga and Clay Holmes wrapped issues up. Loaisiga allowed one earned run — Schwarber’s homer — whereas Holmes recorded his second scoreless outing in a row after surrendering two runs in his 2023 debut on April 1.
DONALDSON EXITS
Josh Donaldson exited Wednesday’s sport early on with proper hamstring tightness. He shall be re-evaluated Thursday.
Boone didn’t suppose the harm was too extreme, however he famous that hamstrings will be tough, and that an MRI was potential. Donaldson, in the meantime, mentioned he felt a bit soreness after the sport.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa changed Donaldson at third base within the third inning after the latter pulled up lame following an at-bat.
KING’S CONUNDRUM
Michael King, again on the mound after a stress fracture in his proper elbow prematurely ended his breakout 2022 season, has proven some rust early on. The righty has pitched in two video games and allowed a handful of runs to attain on his watch. While Tuesday’s outing noticed runs charged to starter Domingo German, King owned as much as not getting the job completed in aid.
Afterward, he mentioned that he’s been battling timing and mechanical points, significantly together with his four-seam fastball, which has been averaging a number of much less miles per hour than it did a season in the past.
King mentioned his elbow has “been feeling great.” While he mentioned {that a} “dead arm” is a potential concern, he believes the dip in velocity stems from him making an attempt to generate energy too early in his mechanics, as an alternative of it coming from late hand velocity. When The News requested for clarification, King mentioned that he mainly desires to verify his supply is easy up till the purpose he must let the ball rip.
“I don’t know if it’s a dead arm or just more me trying to muscle up to really get the velo, because I’m noticing that,” mentioned King, who mentioned his mechanics with pitching coach Matt Blake. “I think it’s more a quick mechanical change that I gotta get comfortable with.”
Boone, in the meantime, mentioned that the tweaks King must make are “very, very subtle.”
HARD ON HICKS
Aaron Hicks has been a well-liked topic early on this season because of his struggles on the plate and inconsistent function, which he’s expressed frustration with. But with zero hits in eight plate appearances — Hicks didn’t play Wednesday — the veteran has already obtained his justifiable share of boos.
However, Boone doesn’t suppose the detrimental response is impacting Hicks within the field.
“It’s not the greatest reaction, but you gotta deal with it, fight through it. I don’t think it had any effect on him,” the supervisor mentioned Tuesday evening. “I think he’s handling it fine.”
Boone mentioned extra of the identical Wednesday morning when the topic was broached once more.
“He knows that’s coming,” Boone mentioned of the boos, however he’s been pleased with the outfielder’s at-bats. “That can be a little overwhelming and uncomfortable, but I think he’s past that point and just wants to perform.”
Hicks will get an opportunity to get away from the Bronx’s boo birds Friday when the Yankees start their first highway journey of the season in Baltimore.
INJURED PITCHERS PROGRESSING
A pair of injured Yankees pitchers are progressing.
Wednesday marked Luis Severino’s fourth day of throwing after struggling a lat pressure late in camp. He’s as much as 90 toes and can go to Baltimore with the aim of throwing his first bullpen, per Boone.
Meanwhile, Tommy Kahnle (biceps tendinitis) performed catch Wednesday. He was all smiles and gave a thumbs up when he walked by Boone’s workplace within the morning.
RAINING IN BALTIMORE
The Yankees’ first highway journey of the season will begin with a postponement after the Orioles pushed their house opener again to Friday. The staff, citing “severe inclement weather,” made the choice Wednesday after consulting with Major League Baseball.
The sport will nonetheless be performed at 3:05 p.m. on Friday, which initially served as an off day to guard in opposition to this very state of affairs. The Yankees will play the Orioles once more on Saturday and Sunday earlier than ending their highway journey with a three-game collection in Cleveland.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com