Severino takes seventh straight as Yanks top Tigers, 7-4, in opener

DETROIT — Aaron Boone’s pitching strategy for the first game of Monday’s doubleheader was simple.

“We sent our ace out there for the first game and counted on him giving us a big performance,” the New York Yankees manager said.

Luis Severino did just that, striking out 10 over eight innings to win his seventh straight decision in a 7-4 victory that extended New York’s winning streak to five games.

“He threw 85 strikes in 112 pitches, which puts his percentage in the high 70s,” Boone said. “That’s how he got through eight innings, which is huge for our bullpen.”

Gleyber Torres and Greg Bird also homered for the AL Eastleading Yankees, who improved to a big league-best 38-17. New York is 21 games over .500 for just the second time since ending the 2012 season at 95-67; the Yankees were 91-70 last year before losing their regular-season finale.

In the start of a doubleheader that made up rainouts on April 14 and 15, Severino (9-1) allowed two runs and four hits while walking none. He is 7-0 in 10 starts since losing at Boston on April 10.

“I’ve been able to execute all of my pitches almost every time out there this season,” Severino said. “Today, it took me a couple innings to get on top of my slider, but everything was good after that.”

Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild was impressed with Severino’s ability to overcome early problems with his slider.

“He’s able to throw his changeup at two different speeds, so even when he doesn’t have a great slider, he still has different offspeed looks for the hitters,” Rothschild said. “He’s throwing some of them at 79 or 80 and others at 88 or 89, which makes it tough on hitters.”

Romine’s home run was his fourth in 59 at-bats.

“I’m so happy with way he’s hitting,” Severino said.

Jonathan Holder allowed two unearned runs in the ninth, and Aroldis Chapman struck out Victor Martinez with a runner on second for his 14th save in 15 chances. “I would have rather not used Chapman in that one, but he told me he’s ready for the second game,” Boone said.

New York is 15-1 against the AL Central since mid-September.

Drew VerHagen allowed seven runs, seven hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings. Detroit has lost two in a row following a four-game winning streak.

Sandy Baez, a 24-year-old right-hander making his major league debut for the Tigers as their 26th man, pitched

4 1/3 hitless innings of relief.

“We are proud of that young man,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said.

“Eating up all those innings was huge in the first game of a doubleheader.”