Lights Out For Luis Severino As New York Tops Kansas City

Luis Severino was nothing short of spectacular Wednesday night as he threw a shutout and New York rebounded from their loss Tuesday to Kansas City.

He harnessed his electric arsenal to produce the deepest outing of any Yankees starting pitcher over the last two weeks, firing eight scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory over the Royals on Wednesday night at the Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/232212086/luis-severino-pitches-yanks-to-win-over-royals/

Severino gave the Yanks' fatigued bullpen a breather by limiting Kansas City to just four hits in an 114-pitch performance, increasing New York's lead to a season-high 2 1/2 games over Baltimore in the American League East. Dellin Betances struck out the side in the ninth for his fourth save. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/232212086/luis-severino-pitches-yanks-to-win-over-royals/

Luis Severino had this to say about his outing "It feels good to help the team, to give an outing like this," Severino said. "I have to keep working, keep trying to be in the game more. I feel more confidence in my changeup and my fastball. I feel good." He was the first New York pitcher sinceMay 8 to complete at least seven innings, Severino called it the best outing of his brief career. Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain would probably agree, saying that Severino was "lights out" and "pretty much unhittable."

"You can look at film all day, but stepping in the box is a whole other world," Cain said. "Throwing 96 to 100 [mph], huge slider, changeup. I don't know where they found that guy, but he's pretty darn good."

As for the offense, Didi Gregorius hit his third homer -- and second of the series -- and scored twice. Matt Holliday and Brett Gardner also drove in runs as Royals starter Jason Hammel logged six-plus innings, permitting three runs and six hits. Kansas City has lost eight of Hammel's nine starts. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/232212086/luis-severino-pitches-yanks-to-win-over-royals/

Each of the previous 15 runs in the series had been driven in via homers before Gary Sanchez led off the sixth inning with a single, stole second base -- just his second career steal -- and advanced to third on a Salvador Perez throwing error. Holliday lifted a sacrifice fly to deep right field that gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead. It was Perez's first error since last Aug. 25 at Miami.

 Alcides Escobar was first-pitch swinging from the beginning of the game, barreling a 97.1-mph Severino fastball to deep center field, where center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury ran it down before crashing into the wall. According to Statcast™, Escobar's ball had a 73 percent hit probability. Ellsbury left the game an inning later and was diagnosed with a concussion and a sprained neck. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/232212086/luis-severino-pitches-yanks-to-win-over-royals/

New York will have the day off today due to a rainout and will make up the last game of their four-game series with Kansas City on Monday, September 25th at Yankee Stadium. The time of that game is yet to be determined.

As for their next series, New York will host Oakland for a three -game series starting on Friday with right -hander Masahiro Tanaka getting the start against Oakland right -hander Kevin Graveman.  "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/232345940/yanks-royals-matchup-postponed-due-to-rain/ttps://www.mlb.com/gameday/athletics-vs-yankees/2017/05/26/490823#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=490823