Michael Pineda (3-2, 1.95 ERA) continues his post DL dominance taking on Drew Hutchison (8-11, 4.68 ERA) and the Blue Jays. Pineda has been excellent since coming off the DL. In his three games back he is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA with a single walk and 12 K’s. “He could do pretty much whatever he wanted with the baseball,” Brian McCann said. “He’s got so much cut on his fastball that I feel like he could throw that literally every pitch and be very successful, and to add in a wipe out slider and a really good changeup. When he’s on, he’s tough.” His first start in pinstripes was against Toronto back on April 5th in Toronto, he allowed one run in six innings but still took a loss.
Hutchison threw his ninth quality start his last time out against the Rays, but he didn’t factor into the decision as they lost 2-1 in extras. He went six innings allowing one run on six hits with seven strikeouts. His history with New York, however, is anything but quality. He is 2-3 with a 5.81 ERA in five career starts against the Yanks. But on July 26 at the Stadium, he held the Yanks to two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings.
David Robertson has thrived since taking over the closer’s role from the legendary Mariano Rivera. Friday night he converted his 35th save. He is only the sixth Yankee to record at least 35 saves in a single season. Rivera’s franchise record of 53 saves in a season appears safe, but five more saves would make Robertson only the fifth Yankee with 40 or more saves in a season. The most saves by someone other than Rivera is Dave Righetti with 46 in 1986.
Notes on the game
The Yankees lead the Majors with a 42-28 record in games decided by two runs or fewer.
Friday’s loss marked the Blue Jays 100th loss to the Yankees at Rogers Centre. Overall they are 95-100 in the ballpark.
1:05 pm on Yes.