Yankees Game 18: Nathan Eovaldi flirts with no-no, settles for win

Flirting with a no-hitter, Nathan Eovaldi allows 2 hits in the 7th inning for tonight's Yankees win.

New York Yankees 3 – Texas Rangers 1

After a disappointing homestand, the Yankees went to Texas, home state of Nathan Eovaldi to start a nine-game road trip.

The struggles at the plate for the Yankees joined them on their flight and showed itself in the second inning. Against spot starter Cesar Ramos, Mark Teixeira led off with a single in the second inning. With one out, Chase Headley got a single of his own and Dustin Ackley walked to load the bases. Unfortunately, Didi Gregorius grounded into a force out at home and Austin Romine hit it back to the pitcher, continuing struggles with runners in scoring position.

In the third inning, the Yankees got on the board with instant offense. Leading off the third inning, Jacoby Ellsbury took Ramos deep for a solo home run. Carlos Beltran walked with one out and Mark Teixeira hit a deep double to right center field for a second run.

Two runs seemed like more than enough for Texas native Nathan Eovaldi.

After a perfect first inning, Didi Gregorius committed an error in the field before Eovaldi picked up his defender with a double play. After three innings, Nathan Eovaldi faced the minimum without allowing a hit. He issued his first walk in the fourth inning but continued keeping the Rangers out of the hit column.

The Yankees added another run in support of Eovaldi with a solo home run from Starlin Castro.

Up by three, Nathan Eovaldi entered the seventh inning without a hit allowed but Nomar Mazara denied the Yankees righty history with a single to left field, ending the no-hit bid. He generated his second double play of the game before giving up his second hit of the game to Prince Fielder but stranded him on the bases.

Nathan Eovaldi issued a leadoff walk in the eighth inning and ended his night. In seven shutout innings, Nathan Eovaldi allowed two hits and walked two while striking out six. He threw 98 pitches, 66 for strikes and had his fastball, slider and splitter working brilliantly in sync.

Dellin Betances helped Eovaldi keep his start scoreless when he entered for a double play. Unfortunately for Betances, rookie catcher Brett Nicholas can lay a claim that no one else has been able to this year, he scored against the big righty. On a hanging slider, Nicholas hit his first career home run to end the shutout. Brand name, kid.

Andrew Miller came on for the ninth inning and retired the side in order to lock up tonight's win.

Win – Nathan Eovaldi (1-2)

Loss – Cesar Ramos (0-1)

Save – Andrew Miller (5)

Notables

Yankees

*Starlin Castro – 2 for 4, R, Solo home run (3) in the 6th, RBI (11)

*Jacoby Ellsbury – 2 for 5, R, Solo home run (1) in the 3rd, RBI (8)

Rangers

*Brett Nicholas – 1 for 3, R, Solo home run (1) in the 8th, RBI (2)

*Nomar Mazara – 1 for 3, BB

Current Yankees Record: 8-10