Chad Jennings

cjennings@lohud.com

One last time, as if they needed a reminder, the Yankees bore witness to the uncertainty of Luis Severino. Given another start in the next-to-last game of the year, Severino was … OK.

Maybe it would have been a better result if Tyler Austin made a diving catch in the second inning, but even that ball was hit pretty hard. Severino allowed three runs on five hits and two walks through 3.1 innings, a far cry from the dominant reliever he’d been in 11 trips out of the bullpen.

“I don’t know what (opportunity) I’m going to get (in spring training),” Severino said. “But I’m going to go ready (to be a starter). In the offseason I’m going to work hard on my changeup and my fastball command to get a shot.”

Through most of the year, the Yankees have been steadfast in labeling Severino as a starting pitcher who happened to be working as a reliever due to need and opportunity, but Joe Girardi seemed less convinced today.

“I think it’s a topic for discussion in the winter,” Girardi said before the game. “I do. And I think what you try to do next spring is you take the 12 best pitchers when you leave camp, but I’m sure there will be talks around the table about that.”

Severino pitched in 22 Major League games this season, half of which were relief appearances. All told, he delivered 23.1 innings with one earned run out of the bullpen. He struck out 25 and had a 0.77 WHIP, the same as Andrew Miller. He was quite literally one par with one of the best relief pitchers in baseball.

But it was as if a completely different pitcher showed up for Severino’s starts.

The Yankees used Severino out of the rotation 11 times and one only two of them. One was the game when Severino was ejected in the second inning, and the second was today's comeback against the Orioles. Severino had an 8.50 ERA as a starter, and opponents who hit .105 against him out of the bullpen hit .337 against him out of the rotation.

"I think the one thing that players need to understand is there’s no certainty in this game," Girardi said. "When you take the field on a daily basis, you have to prove yourself. So there’s nothing given to anyone. You have to go out and earn it, and I think it’s important you never forget that. He understands that he had an up-and-down year. He knows that, and there are things he has to prove."

Explanations have generally centered on his fastball command, his slider consistency and his willingness – and ability – to use his changeup. He's basically given up the changeup in when pitching out of the bullpen, but he needs it turn a lineup over as a starter. There's no doubt Severino wants to be a starting pitcher, and there's little doubt the Yankees would love him to take that role and run with it. Whether that happens is very much up for debate.

“I feel good; I feel happy," Severino said. "I came back as a starter and was excited. Trying to finish strong."

Romine, Austin come through in big spot

When Girardi addressed the Yankees on Friday, his message focused on the uncertainty of next season, and the need for both veteran and young players to earn their keep. This afternoon, Tyler Austin and Austin Romine seemed to heed the call. Austin had an RBI single and a game-tying home run. Romine had a go-ahead, two run single.

"I’ve been impressed with what (Romine)’s done," Girardi said. "I think he’s filled his role extremely well. I think he’s had big hits for us when he has played. ... Again, Tyler Austin had big hits today. He’s had some big home runs for us and did it again today, and he had a big RBI earlier. I think he’s improved a lot at first, and I think he’ll continue to improve. So there’s things that you take from this."

All five of Austin's home runs have been hit to right field at Yankee Stadium to either tie a game or put the Yankees in front. Romine leads the Yankees in hitting with runners in scoring position.

"This is my job, to be ready when they call my name," Romine said. "Being a backup catcher, you've got to know your role and be ready to play and make sure you've done everything you can possibly do."

Teixeira feels at ease heading into career finale

Heading into the final game of his career, Mark Teixeira asked to play a few innings on Friday and Saturday, and it will be up to him how much he plays on Sunday.

"I’m sure there’s going to be a ton of emotions for him tomorrow," Girardi said. "He may want to play the whole game tomorrow, and if that’s what he wants to do, that’s what I'll do."

Teixeira said he expects to sleep just fine tonight knowing tomorrow will be his last day.

"I’ve been at peace about this decision for a long time," he said. "I’ll be excited when I get to the ballpark, but I’ve got some family and friends in town, so I’ll enjoy some time with them tonight and have a nice night’s sleep."

Betances looks like his old self

Stuck in a three-week slump, Dellin Betances entered in the ninth inning and offered more of the same with a leadoff walk. After that, though, it was a vintage performance with three straight strikeouts. His past five outs have all been strikeouts.

"A really good inning," Girardi said. "So we’re really pleased with that.”

Odds and ends

Five different Yankees relievers combined for 5.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen today. None of them had a strikeout until Dellin Betances struck out the side in the ninth. Richard Bleier has not allowed a run in his past 12 outings since the All-Star break. Tyler Clippard got the win.

struck out the side in the ninth. has not allowed a run in his past 12 outings since the All-Star break. got the win. This home stand, Tyler Austin has hit .545 with two homers and five RBI. His season batting average is up to .244.

has hit .545 with two homers and five RBI. His season batting average is up to .244. Off the bench, Rob Refsnyder had one hit and threw a runner out at third base from right field. He pinch run for Mark Teixeira in the fifth.

had one hit and threw a runner out at third base from right field. He pinch run for in the fifth. With two doubles today, Chase Headley snapped an 0-for-13 stretch. He'd gone nine games without an extra-base hit.

snapped an 0-for-13 stretch. He'd gone nine games without an extra-base hit. In his past 27 games, Aaron Hicks has hit .297/.365/.460 after hitting .191/.254/.297 in his first 95 games.

Final word

We'll give the final word to Teixeira:

“It just kind of shows what we’ve been doing the last two months of the year. We’ve been playing for pride, we’ve been playing for our fans, playing for each other. And that’s what you saw tonight.”