Former A’s ace Gray upstaged by Kluber in Yankees debut
Former A’s ace Sonny Gray made an impressive debut with the Yankees on Thursday night, but it wasn’t quite enough to overcome three first-inning New York fielding errors or Cleveland’s Corey Kluber.
Kluber pitched a threehitter and struck out 11 in a 5-1 win. Gray, acquired at Monday’s trade deadline, was nearly as good, settling in after the two unearned runs. He allowed only two hits until the sixth before Yan Gomes hit a twoout, two-run double to put Cleveland up 4- 0.
“That’s just part of the game,” Gray said of the miscues by first baseman Chase Headley, second baseman Tyler Wade and right fielder Clint Frazier in the first.
“You make pitches. We were able to come out of the first inning with only two.”
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said, “Sonny threw the ball well. It’s unfortunate we gave up those runs. Kluber had a lot to do with it. His stuff is dynamite. When he gives you a ball to hit, you better not miss it.”
Kluber joined Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and Nolan Ryan as the only pitchers to strike out at least eight in 12 consecutive starts. Johnson did it four times in his career and holds the record with 17 straight.
“I mean, all three are guys I grew up watching and idolizing, so to be mentioned with them is definitely an honor and it’s cool,” Kluber said.
The Yankees sat struggling slugger Aaron Judge for the series opener. The major league home run leader is batting just .164 (11 of 67) with 29 strikeouts since the All-Star break.