ARLINGTON, Texas — All were expecting Aaron Judge to script history on Monday night. But it was Luis Severino who took an attempt at his own piece of history with seven no-hitting innings against the Texas Rangers. Though the Yankees won the game 3-1, the pulling out of Severino from the game left many fans unconvinced.
The right-handed pitcher for the Yankees faced the Rangers on Monday night and threw 94 pitches while going seven innings without allowing a hit. He was removed from the game while the Yankees went on to win 3-1 at Globe Life Field. Luis Severino looked upset while he was at the dugout.
Luis Severino took out Nathaniel Lowe with a 99.5 mph fastball, which ended the seventh inning. This was Severino’s third start after his return to the active roster following more than 60-days of lat strain. Manager Aaron Boone was waiting for him in the dugout, and both of them talked for a long time. Boone put his hands on Severino’s shoulders, and Severino shook his head several times. When they were done talking, Severino’s teammates gave him high fives and hugs.
When asked if he thinks that the manager should have allowed him to complete the no-hitter, Luis Severino responded:
“No one wants [to be] taken out in that situation, but I understand it. I think it was a good decision. I don’t want to go out there and kill myself and not be good for the postseason. We’re looking at the big picture.”
Since Severino had only thrown 76 pitches in his previous start, Boone stated that there wasn’t much of a decision for him to make because the Yankees are taking their time getting him back to full strength. According to Boone, the true choice would have had to be made if the pitcher had been at that pitch count for all eight innings.
Boone told:
“It still is a decision that sucks to have to make. It puts a little damper on the night, honestly. It’s not a fun thing to have to do when a guy is in the highest land in the league and he’s out there doing his job at a really high and special level. To have to be the one that shuts that down is not fun, but one you gotta do.”
And, if given the chance, would he have completed the no-hitter?
“One hundred percent,” Severino answered.
Instead, Miguel Castro relieved Luis Severino to begin the eighth and allowed a single to the first batter he faced, effectively ending the Yankees’ chances of a combined no-hitter.
Luis Severino had an encouraging and dominant regular-season finale, which bodes well for the postseason, where he is expected to be one of the Yankees’ top three starters in the ALDS.
The average speed of Luis Severino’s fastball was 97.8 mph, which was 1.6 mph faster than his season average. His changeup and slider were also very effective as he mowed down batters.
Last May, Corey Kluber threw the Yankees’ last no-hitter in the same stadium where Luis Severino tried to do the same thing. He finished seven innings for only the third time this season.
The pull-out of Luis Severino led to backlash on social media. Fans posted:
Do you think manager Boone should have allowed Luis Severino to complete his no-hitter game?
