The New York Yankees bullpen has been playing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde all season.
Yet, after two awful games north of the border, and facing an early five-run deficit in a game that could have ended New York’s season, its relievers came through.
The Yankees bullpen, so maligned all year, picked up starter Carlos Rodon by throwing 6 2/3 scoreless innings, which allowed their offense to rally for a season-saving 9-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday.
The Yankees will again face elimination in Game 4 on Wednesday at 7:08 p.m. ET in the Bronx.
The Yankees Bullpen Picked Up Carlos Rodon
Rodon has been a revelation for the Yankees season — their veritable co-ace. But it was pretty clear early in Game 3 he didn’t have good stuff.
Before many of the 47,399 were even in their seats, the Yankees were behind 2-0 on Vladimir Guerrero’s two-run, first-inning home run off Rodon — who Guerrero is now 12 for 18 against with no strikeouts.
After Aaron Judge’s RBI single cut the Yankees deficit to 2-1, Rodon and the Yankees defense imploded in the top of the third inning. Toronto scored four runs and appeared poised to run away to the ALCS, with brooms in hand.
After all, the Yankees bullpen allowed 14 earned runs in 10 1/3 innings in Games 1 and 2 — after pitching to a 5.13 ERA in September and allowing three runs in 7 2/3 innings in the AL Wild Card Series vs the Boston Red Sox.
Yet, Fernando Cruz — a revelation in his own right for New York all season — came in and kept Toronto from doing any more damage in the third before getting two outs in the fourth inning.
Camilo Doval, who struggled so mightily after the Yankees acquired him from the San Francisco Giants on July 31 he threw just one inning in New York’s final six regular-season games, threw a scoreless inning, which kept his ERA at 0.00 over three innings this postseason.
They were awesome,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Cruz coming in and settling some things. Camilo [is] continuing to throw the ball incredibly well.”
As the zeroes piled up, the crowd came alive, especially when Doval struck out the first two batters he faced in the top of the fourth inning. He gave way to Tim Hill, an almost-forgotten man in the Yankees‘ bullpen restructuring, who ended up picking up the win by throwing 1 1/3 perfect innings.
“Tim Hill coming in and getting that final out then going back out knowing he’d have to face [right-handed hitter George] Springer,” Boone said. “Really good job by all the pen guys and doing it efficiently too.”
Devin Williams Is Once Again Dominating
Devin Williams went from public enemy No. 1 to perhaps the most important Yankees reliever — or No. 1A behind David Bednar.
Williams, who had a minus-0.3 bWAR during the regular season and lost his closer role, struck out two in 1 1/3 innings, keeping his ERA at 0.00 in the postseason while boosting his scoreless appearance streak to 12 straight.
He needed just 26 pitches to get four outs before ceding to Bednar, who retired five batters in just 21 pitches to record his second postseason save. Boone also noted their efficiency in taking care of business.
“The bullpen, really piecing it together so well without really over-taxing anyone,” Boone said, “is big going into another game tomorrow.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Yankees Bullpen Shakes Off Awful Start to ALDS, Picks Up Carlos Rodon In Game 3 Win appeared first on Heavy Sports.