The Yankees went for the sweep against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park yesterday. But priorities are in order: More important than the result was seeing if Luis Severino, coming off the Injured List to make his 1st start of the season, was going to be 1st) okay and 2nd) effective. If both of those turned out to be true, then that would have been good signs for the long term, and a loss would have been acceptable.
He was on a strict 75-pitch limit, which he reached in the 5th inning, 1 out short of qualifying as the winning pitcher. He allowed a run in the 1st inning, but settled down, and allowed no more, allowing 4 hits and a walk.
It was, by necessity, a short performance, but a very encouraging one. If he's truly back, then we're down to just one hole in the starting rotation, Carlos Rodón's. Well, two holes: Neither of the starts of Domingo Germán's suspension have happened yet. But, long-term, only one.
Albert Abreu finished the 5th and pitched the 6th, Jimmy Cordero the 7th, Wandy Peralta the 8th, and Clay Holmes the 9th. Bullpen totals: 4 1/3 innings, no runs, 2 hits, 1 walk. Also encouraging.
It was still 1-0 Reds going into the top of the 5th, when Harrison Bader hit a home run with Willie Calhoun aboard, to give the Yankees the lead. Gleyber Torres added a hone run in the 6th. Anthony Volpe added a run with an RBI double in the 7th.
Yankees 4, Reds 1. WP: Abreu (2-1). SV: Holmes (5). LP: Hunter Greene (0-4).
So the Yankees finish the roadtrip 6-1. Just 1 more run in the 1st 9 innings in Toronto on Wednesday, and it would have been a 7-game sweep. They closed to within 5 1/2 games of the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Eastern Division -- 6 in the all-important loss column.
Also, Aaron Hicks, once one of Brian Cashman's precious "prospects," but long since flamed out, was designated for assignment. He has, almost certainly, played his last game for this team.
The Yankees come home, and have today as a well-deserved day off. Then, the Baltimore Orioles come in to start a series on Tuesday night.
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