Paxton hitting stride at the break
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — James Paxton is feeling strong with his fastball. You could tell by his bravado regarding the Yankees.
“It was a solid first half ,’’ Paxton said of the 57-31 Yankees and their 6 ¹ /₂-game lead over the Rays after their 2-1 loss to the Rays Sunday at Tropic ana Field .“We overcame some injuries and played really good baseball. We have a good lead in the AL East right now and we’re going to come back on a mission to go to the postseason and win the World Series.’’
The two teams split the four games. This version of Paxton is the version the Yankees will need in the second half and on into October.
Paxton allowed only two run son seven hits while striking out 11 over six innings without issuing a walk as his record dropped to 5-4. His fastball was explosive, witnessed by his 98th pitch, clocked at 98 mph. He has allowed two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts and nine of his 15 starts this season. This marked only the second time in his career he struck out 11 without allowing a walk.
“The fastball was good today ,’’ the big lefty said .“Top of the zone I was chucking it in there pretty good. I had some velo back and locating pretty well, getting it up and in and down and away, where I wanted to go with it. Probably the best stuff I’ve had in the last little bit, so that was encouraging going into the second half.
“I had a rough first inning. ball pretty well.’’
Paxton, staying healthy and strong, is vital to the Yankees’ rotation success.
“I thought he got better as the day went on,’’ Aaron Boone said. “Saw he really emptied the tank with a really good fastball there at the end when he needed to get out of that jam. I thought the fast ball-breaking ball combination were good. He pitched well and gave us a chance.’’
Paxton just couldn’t match Charlie Morton, whose record improved to 10-2.
Morton is an expert at keeping Yankees hitters offbalance. He struck out Aaron Hicks and Aaron Judge six times combined. Morton’s approach is assassin-like.
“I try to find some weaknesses,” Morton said, “and I attack those weaknesses.’’