Yankees take 2 of 3 from Rays
Chapman closes door on Tampa Bay series at Citi Field
NEW YORK » Given a two-run lead and one out from qualifying for his first win with the Yankees, Jaime Garcia gave up an opposite-field single to left by Lucas Duda on a check swing. Joe Girardi walked to the mound, and Garcia handed him the ball without saying a word, without even looking at him, then muttered while walking to the dugout.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been pleased when the manager takes me out,” Garcia said.
Girardi returned to the mound again with two outs in the eighth and replaced Dellin Betances with Aroldis Chapman with a runner on. Betances’ head drooped, and he walked to the bench with a glum look.
“This is not about numbers or when you pitch,” Girardi said. “It’s when we need you, that’s when we need you, and do your job.”
Chapman and the Yankees held on for a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay on Wednesday to take two of three games in a series moved from Florida to Citi Field because of Hurricane Irma.
New York, which won its fourth straight series, entered four games behind AL East-leading Boston and three games ahead of Minnesota for the top AL wild card. The Rays were three games behind the Twins, with four other teams to overcome, and returned to Tropicana Field for a truncated fivegame homestand starting Friday against Boston.
“I don’t know if the right word is relief, but it is nice to finally get home,” said loser Chris Archer (9-10). “I don’t think anybody’s feeling relieved after we lost two of three given our current situation.”
Garcia is 0-2 in six starts since the Yankees acquired him from Minnesota. Making his first appearance since Aug. 30, he allowed five hits in 4 2/3 innings, giving up Kevin Kiermaier’s leadoff homer in the third.
Girardi did not want Garcia to face Evan Longoria as the potential tying run. Chad Green (5-0) retired the Rays’ biggest star on a flyout, then struck out the side in the sixth.
“June I probably would have left him, and July probably would have left him in. But you start to get to this point in the season and you have to make some personal sacrifices for the team,” Girardi said. “I understand if he’s still mad. I’m OK with
that.”
Girardi had a conversation with Garcia in the dugout when the inning ended.
“I appreciate that from him,” Garcia said. “He came up and said it was a tough for him to do that and that I was throwing the ball well.”
Girardi took out CC Sabathia after 4 1/3 innings with a 5-1 lead on Monday when Longoria came to the plate with two on.
“I don’t ever really take too much in the heat of the moment,” Girardi said. “I want competitors.”
After Green struck out the side in the sixth, Tommy Kahnle overcame two hits in the seventh with the help of a double play.
Betances allowed Longoria’s one-out single in the eighth and struck out Logan Morrison. Girardi thought Chapman matched up better against Steven Souza Jr., and even Chapman was surprised when he entered for his first save of more than three outs since Game 5 of last year’s World Series for the Chicago Cubs.
Restored to the closer’s role last weekend after a mid-August demotion, Chapman walked Souza and gave up an RBI single to Adeiny Hechavarria that put runners at the corners. Chapman struck out pinch-hitter Wilson Ramos with a 101.9 mph fastball.
He walked Curt Casali leading off the ninth before fanning Brad Miller, Kiermaier and Duda for his 200th save in 225 chances, his 18th save in 22 opportunities this year.
“It’s always easier when you win and you try to explain yourself.” Girardi said. “I can explain myself if guys need it.”