Game 97 / 55-42 / 1st / +6.5G : Whatever mojo happens in Larry’s Laboratory, the results are taking shape before our eyes. Nathan Eovaldi is steadily becoming a solid force in the starting rotation, and today he turned in the length the Yankees have been looking for — pitching into the 9th and getting big outs along the way when he needed. A project for pitching coach Larry Rothschild, Eovaldi is now 10-2 (4.27) and positioning himself nicely for the number three starter slot.
New York’s offense answered the bell again this afternoon at Target Field, led by Chase Headley‘s 5th inning home run and a 6-run sixth inning outburst that put the contest out of reach for Minnesota.
Here’s the box score, full recap, and video highlights.
Yankees 7, Twins 2
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- Chase Headley Just when the team needs it, Headley is heating up at the plate. Going 2-4 today with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Over the last 7 games, Headley is 9-25, 5 runs scored, 8 RBI and hitting a .333 clip for the month of July.
- Stephen Drew On his way to breaking through The Mendoza Line, Drew’s tantalizing bat showed its potential again with a booming 2-run blast to cap off the Yankees 6-run output in the sixth inning.
- Jacoby Ellsbury While his bat has cooled off at the start of this road trip, his glove continues to thrill — the stuff that does not show up in the box score.
- Nathan Eovaldi A pre-season bet you’d be sure to lose: Who would be the first Yankees pitcher to record 10 wins? Granted, ace Masahiro Tanaka has been on the DL, CC Sabathia gets spotty run support even when he’s on, and Michael Pineda’s inconsistency has limited him to only 9 wins at this point. And it’s accurate that Eovaldi does get crazy run support, but he’s getting better with each start, and is earning it. Joe Girardi points out a more lethal splitter and curveball mix in Eovaldi’s arsenal, thanks to Rothchild’s guidance. Check out this piece from Bryan Hoch (mlb.com): Improved splitter has Eovaldi in peak form.
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“It was real nice. I feel like it’s the best start I’ve had all year. I had the fastball working, and I got a lot of swing and misses with my split as well. Jacoby Ellsbury had two great plays in the outfield early on, I was able to get double-play balls when I needed to. It was a big win for us.” ‐ Nathan Eovaldi
(h/t: Bryan Hoch and Betsy Helfand / MLB.com)
MEMORY LANE : On today’s date in 1948, Babe Ruth makes his last public appearance, at the New York premiere of the film The Babe Ruth Story. He will die three weeks later. Here’s a brutal movie critic review from the New York Times … (h/t: Today in Baseball History)
FOOTNOTES : Today’s victory puts the Yankees a season-high 13 games over .500, and most importantly a full 8 game lead in the loss column over the second place Toronto Blue Jays — not to mention a 6th straight series win.
