Pineda out-duels Keuchel in pitcher's duel as Romine's double gives Yankees 2-1 win

Michael Pineda, who pitched one of his best games of the season, got just enough run support to get the win in the Bombers’ 2-1 victory over the Astros Monday night at Minute Maid Park. Chase Headley went 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored, and Austin Romine hit the go-ahead RBI double in the eighth inning to give the Yankees the against Houston ace Dallas Keuchel.

Photo Credit: Eric Christian Smith | AP

Throughout the season, we have seen two different versions of Pineda. There are times where he can shut down a team like he's the best guy in the rotation, and then he can look like he's incapable of making through a single inning. He didn't get off to a good start tonight, as his very first offering was smacked over the right field wall for a George Springer opposite-field home run. After that, he settled down, giving up only four more hits while striking out eight over a very strong seven innings. He then gave way to the back end of the bullpen, pitching for the first time since Aroldis Chapman was traded earlier in the day. Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller then came in to slam the door in the ninth inning. It was Miller's first save since May 6 as he's been placed back in the closer role.

With Keuchel on the mound, the Yankees knew runs would be hard to come by against the reigning AL Cy Young winner. They went very quietly through the first four innings before finally breaking through in the fifth. Didi Gregorius hit a two out double, and that was followed up with Headley’s RBI single. Headley would lead off the eighth with another base hit. Romine then came up, and smacked a ball into the triangle in dead center, which scored the go-ahead run all the way from first base. It was far from an offensive explosion, but with the great start by Pineda and the shut down bullpen, it was all the Yankees needed to win their sixth game in their last eight tries.

Win: Michael Pineda (5-9, 5.00 ERA): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K

Loss: Dallas Keuchel (6-10, 4.57 ERA): 7.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K

Save: Andrew Miller (8)

Notable Performances
Dellin Betances: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 Ks
Carlos Beltran: 2-4

Chase Headley: 2-3, RBI, R

Austin Romine: 2-3, 2B, RBI (go-ahead double in eighth)

George Springer: 1-4, HR (22)

Luis Valbuena: 3-3, BB

What's Next?

Tomorrow is the second of this three game set in Houston. The Yankees will pitch CC Sabathia (5-8, 4.04 ERA) against Doug Fister (10-6, 3.42 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 PM ET.

Article by: Dan DeGregorio

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