Closer Giles takes one on chin

YANKEES 4, ASTROS 0

HOUSTON — Not long after Gary Sanchez delivered a knockout blow for the New York Yankees on Tuesday night with a three-run homer off Ken Giles in the ninth inning, the Houston closer landed a shot of his own.

Giles, an Albuquerque native, punched himself twice — with the second landing on his face — as he left one batter after Sanchez’s go-ahead homer. A somber Giles said the outburst was fueled by frustration.

“Obviously, because I just screwed up a win,” he said. “We should have won this game. We should have bounced back. I didn’t give our team a chance. Of course I’m going to be frustrated over that.”

The implosion by Giles spoiled a splendid outing by Justin Verlander, and the Yankees got a 4-0 victory.

Verlander tied a career-high by striking out 14 and allowed just three hits — all singles — in eight innings. Giles (0-1) took over and Aaron Judge singled to start the ninth for New York. Didi Gregorius doubled to the gap in left field before Sanchez’s home run sailed over the fence in center field for a 3-0 lead.

Aaron Hicks followed with single to chase Giles. An emotional Giles punched himself in the chest with his still-gloved right hand while walking off the field before moving the glove to his left hand and throwing a blow to his face. He arrived in the dugout, picked up a bat and slammed it down, then kicked it before retreating to the clubhouse.