J.P. Sears Pitched Well in His First Career Start over Baltimore
Some of the New York Yankees’ biggest stars are suddenly missing. Their less-noticed replacements are ready to keep the engine running.
JP Sears pitched 5 scoreless innings to earn his first career start, and the no-name relievers who remained in New York’s battered bullpen finished a five-hitter as the Yankees beat the Orioles 2-0 on Wednesday.
Aaron Judge doubled and scored on Miguel Andujar’s single, his first RBI in the majors this season. Andujar was called up from the minors on Monday after Josh Donaldson was placed on the COVID-19 injured list.
New York scored again in the fourth on a wild pitch. Gleyber Torres scored from 3rd after the top-rated prospect, who was called up last weekend, made his first major league error while attempting to catch Andujar stealing second.
Before the game, the Yankees placed slugger Giancarlo Stanton and reliever Jonathan Loáisiga on the injured list. In recent days, the team has lost eight players, mostly key players, to injuries or COVID-19 protocols.
New York beat the struggling Orioles to win its second consecutive game after a three-game losing streak. Judge and the Yankees won two of three games in the series and have the best record against AL East rival Tampa Bay.
Sears (2-0) pitched out of trouble in the first inning, despite a leadoff walk and an error. The 26-year-old lefty, who was recalled before the game, was given 3 hits and two walks while striking out five batters in a spot start after last Friday’s rainout forced a doubleheader on Sunday.
Ron Marinaccio, a rookie right-hander, struck out three batters in two perfect innings. In the eighth, Lucas Luetge got two outs and Miguel Castro struck out Austin Hays to end the inning.
Holmes, filling in for the injured All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman, allowed two hits in the ninth inning before recording his fifth save. Holmes struck out on 14 of 15 pitches, extending his scoreless streak to 23 innings.
UP NEXT
The Yankees begin a four-game series Thursday night in Tampa Bay against LHP Nestor Cortes (3-1, 1.80 ERA). Last season, Tampa Bay went 11-8 against the Yankees, outscoring them 98-50 on its way to its second consecutive division title.
What do you think, leave a comment below?
