Chapman is changing things up

Somehow, Aroldis Chapman is still getting harder to hit. The Yankees closer earned his third save in as many days Friday night, pinning down a 4-3 victory over the Cardinals with a shaky but successful ninth inning. The method in which Chapman secured that save is perhaps most significant, though.

Chapman has started sprinkling in changeups at a higher rate than in previous seasons, after the lefthander worked on the pitch in the offseason and spring training. He threw four changeups in Thursday night’s save against the Rays, and tossed four more Friday night. Combined with his 100-plus-mph fastball and low-90s slider, the changeup has elevated Chapman to yet another level.

For comparison, Chapman threw just 31 changeups in 58 innings last season.

“He’s got three pitches,” said catcher Austin Romine. “Everybody gets all wowed with the fastball, and it is. He throws hard. But he’s got two other pitches that he can throw. He’s throwing them, and guys aren’t even swinging at them because they can’t.

“Guys are going to have to start honoring that. He’s got a good changeup with good action, and he’s got a slider that at times can be pretty hard to catch, so I know it’s hard to hit.” Joe Girardi echoed Romine’s sentiment. “I told you in spring training he had a lot better changeup than people knew about,” the Yankees manager said. “And he’s thrown it, and it’s looked pretty darn good.”

Despite his enhanced arsenal, Chapman made the Stadium crowd nervous in the final frame Friday night. He walked Randal Grichuk with two outs before pinch-hitter Jose Ramirez smacked a double past Brett Gardner in left to put runners on second and third.

But that’s when Chapman returned to his bread and better, the best fastball in baseball. He fired three straight 101-mph heaters to Dexter Fowler, who grounded out to second to end the game.

“I feel bad for the hitters, to be honest with you,” said fellow reliever Dellin Betances. “It’s not fair.”

ROMINE IS FINE

Playing in place of the injured Gary Sanchez, Romine is proving he deserves his spot on the Yankees roster.

The backup catcher is building off a turnaround 2016 campaign. He’s hitting .313 in five games this season and connected on his first homer of year in Friday night’s win, a go-ahead shot to right in the second inning.

Most importantly, the Yankees are 5-0 with Romine starting behind the plate.

“He’s just getting a chance to play,” Girardi said, “and he’s playing extremely well.”