Luis Severino Going For 5th Straight Win As New York Takes On Boston

Luis Severino who has been dominating this season for New York will take the mound in game two of the three game series at Yankee Stadium against their American League East rival Boston.

With both the Yankees and the Red Sox in the throes of a tight division race, Saturday's game carries more weight than a typical bout between the two rivals. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

The Red Sox nearly came back in the ninth inning when they loaded the bases on three consecutive walks with nobody out before Aaron Hicks threw out Eduardo Nunez at third base on a sac fly to complete the double play. It was a play, and a game, that Yankees manager Joe Girardi said could be a turning point to their season. Saturday's matchup will be their chance to prove the significance of Friday's win. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

"I think it can really propel you and get you going again," said Girardi, whose club has won seven of 10 games vs. its rivals. "We've done it a number of times. We've had some big wins and they've got us going on a nice streak. You hope it carries over to tomorrow." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

But just as a win like Friday nights can surge a team to a hot streak, a sudden lead-changing loss against a rival can also cause some teams to go cold at times, making Saturday's game just as important for the Red Sox, whose eight-game winning streak was snapped Friday, as it is for the Yankees. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

Even so, Red Sox manager John Farrell isn't worried that there will be any lasting impacts on his team after coming up short on Friday. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

"The way we've bounced back, the way we've come through some challenges as a group, we have responded well to them," Farrell said. "We've had our difficulties against New York this year. We recognize that. But we're looking forward to Drew Pomeranz setting the tone tomorrow at the beginning." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

Pomeranz (11-4, 3.36 ERA) will start for the Red Sox. Since the All-Star break, the left-hander is 2-0 with a 2.64 ERA in five starts. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

Right-hander Luis Severino (9-4, 2.91 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees after perhaps the best five-game stretch of his young career. In his five outings since the All-Star break, Severino is 4-0 with a 0.83 ERA, and he's won each of his last four starts. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

Severino's lone no-decision since the All-Star break came against the Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 15, when he tossed seven innings of one-run ball. The Yankees ended up winning the game, 4-1, in 16 innings. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

Pomeranz is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in seven games (six starts) lifetime against the Yankees. He's faced the Bombers twice this season, going 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

Severino is 1-3 with a 3.45 ERA in six career games (five starts) vs. the Red Sox. This season, he's 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two starts. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

Eduardo Nunez, who was signed as an amateur free agent by the Yankees in 2004, is batting .407 with four homers and 12 RBIs in his first 12 games with the Red Sox. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

Both teams have something to prove after a decisive five-run eighth inning, and one big throw in the ninth, Friday night gave the Yankees a 5-4 win, which put them 3 1/2 games behind the Red Sox in the American League East. Saturday's contest begins at 4:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

"The way we've bounced back, the way we've come through some challenges as a group, we have responded well to them," Farrell said. "We've had our difficulties against New York this year. We recognize that. But we're looking forward to Drew Pomeranz setting the tone tomorrow at the beginning." according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

Right-hander Luis Severino (9-4, 2.91 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees after perhaps the best five-game stretch of his young career. In his five outings since the All-Star break, Severino is 4-0 with a 0.83 ERA, and he's won each of his last four starts." according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170812247799530/yanks-aim-to-gain-more-ground-behind-severino/?game_pk=491835

As for their last game, New York beat Boston 5-4 in the opener Friday at Yankee Stadium.

Through the first seven innings, the offense for New York against their American League East rival Boston was dead before left -fielder Aaron Hicks who recently returned from the disabled list took over not just with his bat but his defense as well.

In what could have been viewed as his club's most important game of the season, Aaron Hicks homered to spark a five-run rally and uncorked a terrific throw to help the Yankees stun the Red Sox and snap their eight-game winning streak with a 5-4 victory on Friday evening at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

Blanked on two hits going to the eighth, the Yankees' slumbering bats awoke along with the sellout crowd of 46,509, which was quickly whipped into a playoff-level frenzy. Hicks launched and Addison Reed slider over the right-field wall, Didi Gregorius greeted Joe Kelly with a game-tying single and Todd Frazier blooped an RBI hit that gave New York its first lead of the evening. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

"It was very important," Hicks said. "We need to get as many wins as we can against these guys, and it just showed that we're willing to fight back. That was also very important." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

Ronald Torreyes added a sacrifice fly and Aroldis Chapman recorded his 15th save despite walking the bases loaded in the ninth with no outs as the Yankees (61-53) trimmed their deficit in the American League East to 3 1/2 games behind the Red Sox (64-50). It was the seventh time that the Yanks have defeated the Sox in 10 games this season. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

"They put together a big inning," said Boston manager John Farrell. "The way we bounced back, the way we've come through some challenges as a group, we have responded well to them. We've had our difficulties against New York this year, we recognize that. But we're looking forward to Drew Pomeranz setting the tone tomorrow at the beginning." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

The unlikely comeback took place after the Red Sox had cruised through the first seven frames.Hanley Ramirez and Andrew Benintendi homered in support of starter Eduardo Rodriguez, who handed a 3-0 lead to his bullpen in the seventh. But it all went for naught when Reed and Kelly couldn't get the job done in the eighth. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

"It happens, but I picked a bad time for it to happen," Reed said. "The good thing is we still have a month and a half left in the season." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

Adam Warren picked up the victory with 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief behind Jaime Garcia, who permitted three runs and seven hits over 5 2/3 innings as he turned in his second start since being traded to the Yankees. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

"You wanted to keep the deficit at three and give them a chance to come back," Warren said. "We just knew at some point they were going to come through. They came through big for us." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

After Brett Gardner was drilled on the right foot with a 1-1 slider from Reed, a play that required a video review, Hicks launched his 11th homer of the season, a Yankee Stadium special to right field that traveled a Statcast-calculated 335 feet and had a hit probability of just seven percent. New York would send 11 men to the plate in the inning before Hicks finally popped out against Fernando Abad to end the frame. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

"I kind of put myself in that situation by falling behind in the count, flipped in a 3-2 slider up in there, probably not the best slider I threw all night, but he didn't miss it," said Reed. "He played it to the ballpark and you guys all know what happened." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

I've never faced him before, so I was just looking to try to get the ball up and try to get a hit in that situation," Hicks said. "I swung at two sliders down that were balls, and right after those two, I just wanted to get him up and put a good swing on it." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

Even after the homer by Hicks, the Red Sox still had a lead. But Reed and Kelly simply couldn't stop the bleeding. Gary Sanchez lined a single to left and moved to second on a wild pitch. Aaron Judge drew a walk. In came Kelly and Gregorius lined a single just in front of Benintendi in left to tie it. Frazier gave the Yankees their first lead with an RBI single to left. By the time the Red Sox finally got the first out of the inning, it was too late to bring in closer Craig Kimbrel. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

"I think [wins like this] can really propel you and get you going again," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We've done it a number of times. We've had some big wins and they've got us going on a nice streak." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

After Chapman walked the bases loaded in the ninth, missing the strike zone with 12 of his first 15 pitches, Benintendi lifted a sacrifice fly to left field that cut New York's lead to 5-4. Eduardo Nunez took off for third base and Hicks made a terrific throw to cut down the former Yankee at third base. Chapman took advantage, retiring Mitch Moreland for the final out." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

"If it happened tomorrow, I would take the chance tomorrow again," Nunez said. "That's how we play the game. That was a great throw, that was a great pick for Frazier and an amazing tag. Have to give the credit to them." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

When Reed hit Gardner to open the eighth, it marked the first time he hit a batter since March 23, 2014, against the Dodgers in Sydney. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796146/yanks-rally-in-8th-to-end-soxs-winning-streak/

As for Aaron Hicks defense, The Yankees had almost forgotten how impressive Aaron Hicks ' right arm was to watch, so much so that a group of pitchers marveled over his velocity while shagging batting practice fly balls as they opened their rivalry homestand vs. the Red Sox, wondering aloud what radar gun readings he might produce from the mound. " "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796552/aaron-hicks-hits-home-run-throws-out-runner/

Adam Warren guessed that Hicks could bring the heat in the upper 90s if he opted to pitch, but the Yankees are glad that Hicks was patrolling left field in the ninth inning on Friday, where he uncorked a rocket that cut down Eduardo Nunez at third base to help secure New York's 5-4 victory over the Red Sox. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796552/aaron-hicks-hits-home-run-throws-out-runner/

"Big-time throw," Brett Gardner said. "If he's safe right there, I think the next play is a sac fly and the game is tied, right? Who knows how it would have played out? Just a game-changer on both sides of the ball. We're glad to have him back." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796552/aaron-hicks-hits-home-run-throws-out-runner/

Having been activated from the disabled list on Thursday, Hicks' two-run homer off Addison Reed helped spark a five-run eighth inning. Aroldis Chapman immediately placed the Yankees' lead in jeopardy in the ninth as he walked the bases loaded with no outs, missing the strike zone with 12 of his first 15 pitches." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796552/aaron-hicks-hits-home-run-throws-out-runner/

Andrew Benintendi lifted a fly ball that Hicks snared just in front of the warning track. Realizing immediately Jackie Bradley Junior would score easily on the sacrifice fly, Hicks fired to third base, where Todd Frazier snagged the one-hop throw and tagged Nunez's left side as he slid by. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796552/aaron-hicks-hits-home-run-throws-out-runner/

"Personally, it's the play that saved the game," Chapman said through an interpreter. "It's an important double play there. It helped me relax and helped me to get through that inning." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796552/aaron-hicks-hits-home-run-throws-out-runner/

The Red Sox challenged, but the call on the field was confirmed and Mitch Moreland flied out to end the game. According to Statcast. Hicks' throw traveled 216 feet. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796552/aaron-hicks-hits-home-run-throws-out-runner/

"I knew I tagged him," Frazier said. "I didn't know where his hand was, to be honest, but I knew I grazed him, basically. It was one of those things where the Inspector Gadget, 'Go-Go-Gadget arm' just came through. That was it." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247796552/aaron-hicks-hits-home-run-throws-out-runner/

New York improved to 61-53 and is now three games back in second place while Boston who is leading the American League East dropped to 65-50 on the season.

New York and Boston will resume play Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium when New York right -hander Luis Severino who has a record of 9-4 with an earn run average of 2.91 will get the start in game two. Severino has emerged as the Yankees ace as he seeks his fifth straight victory. In his last four starts, he has allowed just two earned runs in 25 2/3 innings for a 0.70 earn run average striking out 32 against seven walks. He will go up against Boston left-hander Drew Pomeranz who has a record of 11-4 with a 3.36 earn run average. Pomeranz struck out eight his last time out against the Whitesox, giving up a run in 6 1/3 innings. The lefty has pitched at least six innings in eight of his past ten starts with a 2.24 earn run average over that span. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/red-sox-vs-yankees/2017/08/12/491835#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491835

Will New York have a late surge this afternoon against Boston or will they get on the board early against Drew Pomeranz? Will left -fielder Aaron Hicks have another big impact offensively as well as defensively in game two? Will Luis Severino be as stellar as he was in his last start Monday against Cleveland? Will Boston be able to get their offense going against Luis Severino?

First pitch is set for 4:05 pm. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1.

MLBAbigail BaggettAugust 12, 2017Boston Red Sox, New York YankeesComment

BASEBALL

Luis Severino Going For 5th Straight Win As New York Takes On Boston