James Paxton Picks Up Eighth Straight Win As New York Blanks Boston

James Paxton started getting in the swing in August where he went 6-0 and began September 7-0 and then in his most recent September start against New York’s American League East rival the left-hander picked up his eighth straight win. So would you say James Paxton has found his groove?

Paxton scattered four hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out seven. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-yanks-eliminate-red-sox-in-al-east

"I'm feeling good," Paxton said. "I feel like I have a good process going. I'm in a good spot and Romine did a great job mixing it up. Guys are making great plays behind me. It was just a good overall team win tonight." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-yanks-eliminate-red-sox-in-al-east

Notching his career-high 13th victory, Paxton is the first Yankees hurler to win eight straight starts since Ivan Nova in 2011. Paxton has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last four starts, tying Masahiro Tanaka for the longest streak by a Yankee this year. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-yanks-eliminate-red-sox-in-al-east

"He's got a purpose when he's pitching. He's fun to catch," Romine said. "He stays aggressive. When he mixes in his curveballs and sliders, he kind of keeps guys off-balance. He's known predominantly as a fastball guy, so guys are selling out. That splits the plate up a little bit and guys can't guess as easily. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-yanks-eliminate-red-sox-in-al-east

"My dad played for the Red Sox, so I always wanted to play here," Romine said. "I really enjoy coming here, and I love the park. I like being a Yankee and coming here and playing here." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-yanks-eliminate-red-sox-in-al-east

In 26 games since the beginning of July, Romine is batting .345 (30-for-87) with 14 runs, six doubles, five homers and 15 RBIs. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-yanks-eliminate-red-sox-in-al-east

"We've been seeing that with Ro a lot in the second half, where offensively I think he found some things and started to click," Boone said. "I think he's in a good routine as far as how to prepare and doing work on the days he's not playing. He's giving us a lot of good at-bats on the days he is playing." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-yanks-eliminate-red-sox-in-al-east

Joltin' Gio

Having been activated from the injured list prior to Sunday's game, Urshela's newfound bat speed did not seem to be affected by the brief layoff. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-yanks-eliminate-red-sox-in-al-east

Urshela greeted Darwinzon Hernandez with a drive that cleared the Green Monster in the seventh, a frame that also featured a DJ LeMahieu RBI single and a Gleyber Torres sacrifice fly. Urshela has hit 19 homers this year after hitting a combined eight homers in 167 games over his previous three seasons. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-yanks-eliminate-red-sox-in-al-east

[I feel] really good, really healthy," Urshela said. "I'm ready to finish strong this month. I'm feeling good. Thank God I am healthy right now." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-yanks-eliminate-red-sox-in-al-east

Meanwhile with Boston’s loss they were eliminated from division title contention.

- Eduardo Rodriguez turned in yet another stellar start for the Red Sox on Monday night at Fenway Park. The only thing lacking? The run support he almost always gets. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-eliminated-in-al-east-race

This time, the bats went stone cold in a 5-0 loss to the Yankees that officially ended Boston's run of American League East titles at three straight. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-eliminated-in-al-east-race

Though it was inevitable for weeks, this defeat eliminated the Sox in the division race, dropping them 18 1/2 games behind their rivals with 18 games left in the season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-eliminated-in-al-east-race

The franchise-record, 108-win season of a year ago, when the Red Sox beat the Yankees by eight games in the division and then took them out in four in the AL Division Series, feels like a long time ago. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-eliminated-in-al-east-race

From New York to London to Boston, the Yankees absolutely took it to the Red Sox this season, taking 14 of the 19 rivalry matchups. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-eliminated-in-al-east-race

"They're that good and we're that far behind -- bottom line," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "They've been very good the whole season. Very consistent." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-eliminated-in-al-east-race

Then there are the Red Sox, who have been consistently inconsistent, as Cora has stated for several weeks. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-eliminated-in-al-east-race

If only the Sox could have gotten even one other starting pitcher to perform like Rodriguez has, perhaps they would still be in contention. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-eliminated-in-al-east-race

"I would say this year I'm healthy. That's what I think has been the big change for me," Rodriguez said. "Work ethic with the trainers and everything has been working really well for me this year, and like I say, being healthy this year has helped me a lot to be where I am right now." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-eliminated-in-al-east-race

In this one, the lefty gave up five hits and one run over six innings. He walked one and struck out nine and fell to 17-6. The 26-year-old still has an outside shot at 20 wins. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-eliminated-in-al-east-race

"That's a great outing right there," said Cora. "We've been talking about him not being able to go deep into games coming into the season and they did a good job fouling off pitches. But his stuff was that good even with 115 or whatever it was." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-eliminated-in-al-east-race

For the Red Sox, the highlight of this night came a few minutes before the game started when legendary slugger David Ortiz threw out the first pitch, marking his first public appearance since he suffered a gunshot wound in the Dominican Republic on June 9. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-eliminated-in-al-east-race

The crowd roared with approval, and Ortiz then took the microphone and made some heartfelt remarks. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-eliminated-in-al-east-race

New York will now head to Michigan where they will open a three game series against Detroit starting Tuesday night.