Chapman demoted as closer
Aroldis Chapman is out as the New York Yankees closer.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before Saturday night’s road game with the Boston Red Sox that the hard throwing lefty, who gave up two runs in a non- save appearance in Friday’s 9- 6 loss to the Red Sox, is being taken out of that role to work through some location issues.
Chapman will be used “at any point” for now, Girardi said, though he stopped short of naming his replacement. Instead, Dellin Betances and David Robertson will be used based on the situation, to allow flexibility.
Chapman has given up at least two runs in each of his last three outings. Girardi said an injury has been ruled out as a culprit for Chapman’s recent issues, and that Chapman told him he was willing to do “whatever it takes” for the team to win.
Tyler Austin hit a three- run home run, Todd Frazier added a solo shot and CC Sabathia pitched six strong innings in his return from the disabled list as the Yankees beat the Red Sox 4- 3. Betances got the last three outs for his ninth save. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge stuck out swinging in the fifth to set a majorleague record by striking out in 36 consecutive games.
Darvish goes to 10- day DL
Yu Darvish has been placed on the 10- day disabled list after just three starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Darvish has lower back tightness, which he first noticed after a recent start in Arizona. It was again he made his Dodger Stadium debut on Wednesday, against the White Sox, in which he gave up three home runs.
Adrian Gonzalez’s seventhinning single broke a scoreless tie as the streaking Dodgers topped the host Detroit Tigers 3- 0. The Dodgers have won six in a row and 21 of their last 24. The Tigers have lost their last six and 12 of 14.
Brewers win, Cardinals lose
Pinch- hitter Jesus Aguilar connected for a go- ahead home run with two outs in the ninth inning and the visiting Milwaukee Brewers beat the Colorado Rockies 6- 3 for their fifth win in six games.
Anthony Swarzak ( 2- 0) tossed one inning and Corey Knebel got the last three outs for his 25th save.
Adam Frazier homered, doubled and singled as the host Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6- 4 to end a six- game losing streak. Cards starter Michael Wacha ( 9- 6) was tagged for five runs and seven hits in four innings.