James Paxton Exits Start In Arlington As New York Beats Texas

James Paxton was going for his eleventh straight win in the opening game in Arlington against Texas but the chance to get his eleventh straight was put on hold on Friday.

James Paxton started for New York, but the left-hander experienced tightness in his left glute while warming up in the bullpen. Paxton threw just 21 pitches, allowing a two-run Danny Santana homer, and was lifted after one inning for precautionary reasons. Paxton said he could have continued pitching, and his focus will now turn to preparing to make his playoff debut in the ALDS. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

With a parade of Yanks relievers posting zeros, including winning pitcher Stephen Tarpley, Stanton laced a two-run single in the fourth inning that opened the lead. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

As for the offense in their 14-7 win,

Gio Urshela led off the sixth inning with a homer, and Mike Ford slugged a two-run shot later in the frame. Austin Romine added a ninth-inning solo shot as the Yanks improved to 57-49 (.538) at this venue, the best record of any visiting club since it opened in 1994.”according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

Mike King hurled two innings in his Major League debut, permitting an unearned run and two hits. Chance Adams surrendered homers to Scott Heinemann and Shin-Soo Choo in the ninth.”according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

The Big G
Stanton's first-inning homer off Joe Palumbo was his third of the season and his second since being activated from the injured list. He finished 3-for-3 with a pair of walks, reaching base a season-high five times. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

"I just shortened my swing up a little bit and tightened the zone," Stanton said. "Some of those pitches were outside of the zone, but I felt like I picked up the ball better today." “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

As he hones his timing, Stanton said he is not concerned about the layoff between Sunday's end of the regular season and ALDS Game 1, which will be played next Friday at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

"I think we'll get some live at-bats in there and just take BP and practice every day, do whatever I can," Stanton said. "I've been out long enough. I can figure out how to pick it up." “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

Milestone moment
DJ LeMahieu added a three-run double in the seventh inning, becoming the first Yankees infielder to reach 100 RBIs since Robinson Canó in 2013. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

"I guess my whole career, I've been pretty envious of guys who can drive in 100," said LeMahieu, who has 102 RBIs. "I guess that means you are really helping the team. It's a good feeling, for sure." “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

LeMahieu's teammates applauded from the top step of the dugout, even after LeMahieu was tagged out at third base attempting to stretch the hit into a triple. The ball was retrieved as a keepsake. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

"It's pretty special that everyone was excited about that," LeMahieu said. "I didn't know people were watching that number as closely as they were. That was pretty cool of my teammates. I appreciated that." “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

Boone said the Yankees' 103-win season -- their highest total since 2009 -- is due in large part to LeMahieu, who has hit safely in 13 consecutive games. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

"They just try to attack him in every way and he finds the gap, finds the right-field wall, hits it over the wall," Stanton added. "Just an unbelievable hitter. We all love watching him hit." “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-yankees-300th-hr

As for Texas,

After topping New York’s American League East rival Boston they suffered a setback in the opening game against the American League East Champions.

Rangers pitcher Joe Palumbo is from Long Island to the east of New York City. That's generally considered Mets territory, and that was Palumbo's favorite team growing up, although he was a big Derek Jeter fan. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joe-palumbo-shows-potential-for-rangers

Jeter, now retired, was the leader of many powerful Yankees teams, and Palumbo got his professional crack at another potent Bronx Bombers lineup, one that is battling the Astros for the best record in baseball. Palumbo wasn't daunted by the challenge. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joe-palumbo-shows-potential-for-rangers

"I thought I prepared well for this game," Palumbo said. "I really studied the lineup, watched video on these guys. So going in, I was really confident. Obviously it's the Yankees, their lineup is no joke. All in all, I thought I threw the ball pretty well." “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joe-palumbo-shows-potential-for-rangers

Palumbo also made the occasional mistake expected from a young pitcher, and that can be painful against the Yankees. The left-hander allowed three runs in three-plus innings as the Rangers lost to the Yankees, 14-7, on Friday night at Globe Life Park. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joe-palumbo-shows-potential-for-rangers

Rangers pitchers allowed six home runs on the night and have given up 32 while losing 10 of their last 12 games. Danny Santana, Scott Heineman and Shin-Soo Choo all went deep for the Rangers. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joe-palumbo-shows-potential-for-rangers

All three runs off Palumbo came on home runs, and he finished 0-3 with a 9.18 ERA in four starts and three relief appearances for the Rangers. He also struck out seven Yankees over three innings, once again showing flashes of the talent that has the Rangers excited about his future. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joe-palumbo-shows-potential-for-rangers

Palumbo's 94 mph fastball was effective on Friday. Five of the seven strikeouts came on fastballs, including four looking. But the Yankees were 3-for-3 with a home run off his changeup. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joe-palumbo-shows-potential-for-rangers

"I thought Joe threw the ball really good, the way he was attacking guys," Rangers manager Chris Woodward said. "His fastball had a lot of life. The one thing he is not afraid to do is go inside on those righties. Pitching effectively up and in, challenged a lot of guys. I like what I saw. I'm glad I got to see him show that against a good offensive club. It's good for him to go into the offseason with that kind of outing under his belt." “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joe-palumbo-shows-potential-for-rangers

Palumbo's night ended after 69 pitches, the most he has thrown for the Rangers. This was just his third outing since missing nearly a month with a blister on his left thumb. That and a sprained left foot earlier this season kept the Rangers from getting a longer look at Palumbo. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joe-palumbo-shows-potential-for-rangers

He still ended up with 97 1/3 innings in his first full season since returning from Tommy John surgery. He threw 45 1/3 innings at the end of last season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joe-palumbo-shows-potential-for-rangers

"I'm happy I ended the season healthy and my arm feels good," Palumbo said. "That's all I can ask for. Looking forward to the future, going into the offseason getting better and I will help this team win in the future. I'm certain about that." “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joe-palumbo-shows-potential-for-rangers

Palumbo is not done. The Rangers are going to send him to the Arizona Fall League so that he can make another four starts and pitch another 20 innings.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joe-palumbo-shows-potential-for-rangers

"He feels really good," general manager Jon Daniels said. "There is some value in working on a few things." “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joe-palumbo-shows-potential-for-rangers

New York will go for the series win on Saturday night when Luis Severino gets the start while Texas will look to bounce back and even up the series.