Monty OK with quick hook, ‘W’
Jordan Montgomery had a no-hitter through five innings against the Reds on Tuesday night, before surrendering a double to outfielder Scott Schebler to lead off the sixth. Montgomery allowed one run and two hits with six strikeouts through 6.2 innings, but was taken out of the game by manager Joe Girardi despite throwing just 85 pitches.
“I thought he made more good pitches. He had the one bad inning, but early on he was using his fastball a lot and he was getting behind in some counts and seemed to find his curveball as the game went on,” Girardi said after the game. “His changeup was good pretty much the whole night. I thought he did a good job of getting through innings when he didn’t have his curveball early on.”
As to why he opted to pull Monty despite the low pitch count, Girardi noted the Yankees’ increased bullpen depth after the additions of Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson.
“That’s why we went and got these guys,” Girardi said. “It’s a situation where if I leave him in and a guy hits a home run, I’m asked that. I just felt it was time.”
Montgomery (7-5, 3.92) was unfazed by his early departure.
“It’s fine. We got too many good arms in the bullpen to waste,” Montgomery said. “I was OK with it, (Kahnle) came in and got the out and we got the win.” 500-600 Toms River residents to attend, and as he spoke to reporters after the win, his 3-year-old son Blake, sporting a mean Mohawk and a Frazier T-shirt, sat in the chair below him. Frazier said he was most nervous for what to do during the traditional Bleacher Creature roll call.
“I was asking everybody what to do. Kind of gave that Shooter McGavin kind of thing from ‘Happy Gilmore.’ Couple guys liked it, so I guess I’ve got to go with that from now on,” said Frazier, who was 1-for-2 with a walk. “It was unbelievable. It was a great experience all the way around, from start to finish. Didi coming up big (with the home run), and (Aroldis) Chapman sealing the deal (with the save).” AP AND GETTY