Another close game for the Yankees, but I wouldn’t put this in the “Nail-Biter” column. J.A. Happ has been as good as anyone in the Yankees rotation since he was acquired from Toronto. We just need him to keep his foot away from his mouth. Aaron Hicks had a clutch hit that put the Yankees ahead in the first, and they never relinquished the lead, despite Betances giving up a lead-off homer in the 8th.

This team hasn’t been bad since they left Boston, but they’re still 10 games back in the AL East, and a Wild Card is as crazy as the name sounds. Still, having a guy like Happ could make the difference in such a game.

GOOD

Hicks 1st inning RBI into The Bermuda Triangle.

Happ getting the GIDP to end the 3rd.

Romine throwing Matt Duffy out trying to steal in the 4th inning.

Happ’s no-hitter thru 3.1 was impressive enough.

Walker walking before Romine’s home run in the 5th, which also broke up Beeks’ perfect streak of outs.

Andujar continuing his Rookie of the Year campaign to lead the 6th off with a double.

BAD

Hunter Wood’s hair.

Only scoring 1 run on 3 hits and a walk in the 1st inning.

The side being struck out in the bottom of the 3rd (Stanton, Hicks, Didi).

Happ 3 lead-off walks in 4 innings.

The feeling that Gleyber is going to get out before he even enters the batter’s box lately.

Jalen Beeks’ perfect 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings complete with 7 K’s.

Gardner’s 0-4.

First batter faced by anyone besides Happ (Betances) smashes a home run, and breaks up the shutout. First time Betances has given up a home run since J.D. Martinez in May.

THE DREADED GIDP (Didi in the 8th).

Chapman letting Wendle continue his hitting streak with a 2-out hit in the 9th.

YANKEE

Romine’s 8th homer of the year, despite only having 7 all of his career coming into this season. Yankees’ first hit since they left the bases loaded in the 1st.

J.A. Happ going 7 innings, and not giving up a run. The man has been a calming force in the rotation.

Dellin Betances breaks the Yankee streak for consecutive relief appearances with a strikeout (29). Andrew Miller held the record until today.

Andujar and Bird with back-to-back doubles to get the run back in the 8th.

Yankees 3 Stars of the Game

* J.A. Happ (7 IP, 4 K, 1 H)



** Aaron Hicks (1 H, 1 BB, 1 RBI)



*** Austin Romine (2-Run HR)

