Sonny Gray Outstanding In New York's Route Of Kansas City

The 2018 season so far has been a struggle for right-hander Sonny Gray.

On Sunday though against  Kansas City in the finale  he was outstanding!

Sonny Gray was working on eight days' rest on Sunday and he obviously made the most of his extra time off between starts. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-pins-down-royals-in-rubber-game/c-277541722

Gray turned in his best outing of the year by allowing just four hits over eight innings as the Yankees rolled to a 10-1 win over the Royals in the rubber game at Kauffman Stadium. For Gray, who entered the game with a 6.39 ERA, it was all about getting in a rhythm with first-pitch strikes. The right-hander didn't allow a hit until Hunter Dozier singled with two out in the fifth."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-pins-down-royals-in-rubber-game/c-277541722

Gray had a two-hit shutout working through seven innings and the Yankees had provided him an ample working margin, thanks largely to a couple of two-run homers by Tyler Austin. Miguel Andujar and Romine also went deep in the finale as the Yanks belted nine homers over the final two games in the series. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-pins-down-royals-in-rubber-game/c-277541722

"I thought his stuff was great and the slider was a really good pitch for him," Boone said. "When he's ahead [in the count], he has the weapons to put people away. That was clear today. The stuff is elite. That's why we were so optimistic about him even when he was going through some struggles." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-pins-down-royals-in-rubber-game/c-277541722

Royals starter Eric Skoglund matched Gray until the fourth when Aaron Hicks led off with a walk and Austin hit a two-run homer that traveled a projected 440 feet, according to Statcast™. The Yanks scored three runs apiece in the fourth and fifth, and that outburst essentially put the game away."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-pins-down-royals-in-rubber-game/c-277541722

The Yankees (30-13) have won eight consecutive series as they prepare to open a three-game set against the Rangers on Monday at Globe Life Park. New York hasn't taken nine series in a row since July 20-Aug. 20 in 1998. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-pins-down-royals-in-rubber-game/c-277541722

"It's so much fun to watch our offense," Gray said. "The way this offense continues to carry it out is really impressive to watch." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-pins-down-royals-in-rubber-game/c-277541722

MOMENT THAT MATTERED
With Gary Sanchez getting a day off, Romine went 3-for-5 with a homer, double and two RBIs. He also put down the signs that kept Gray working at an enviable pace. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-pins-down-royals-in-rubber-game/c-277541722

"It was pitch, mound, sign and go," Romine said of Gray's outing. "Just having a rhythm out there. He just kept making pitches. It's nice to see the bounce back." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-pins-down-royals-in-rubber-game/c-277541722

SOUND SMART
With Sunday's win, the Yankees improved to a Major League-best 24-1 when allowing four runs or fewer."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-pins-down-royals-in-rubber-game/c-277541722

HE SAID IT
"When you see [Aaron Judge], [Giancarlo Stanton] and Sanchez get into those [home-run] balls, I don't know many people who can hang with them." -- Austin, when asked about stacking up with the prominent power hitters in New York's lineup

With the win, New York improves to 30-13 on the regular season and is still in first place in the American League East. With the loss, Kansas City drops to 14-32 on the season and is in last place in the American League Central. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/standings

UP NEXT
Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka (4-2, 4.73 ERA) will take the ball at 8:05 p.m. ET on Monday as the Yankees open a three-game series against the Rangers at Globe Life Park. Tanaka worked five innings in his last start against the Nationals, allowing four hits and three runs. That game was tied at 3 in the sixth when play was suspended. The Rangers will counter with veteran right-hander Bartolo Colon, whose 2.82 ERA ranked ninth in the American League entering Sunday. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-pins-down-royals-in-rubber-game/c-277541722