Back to Cleveland! Behind Luis Severino and timely hitting the Yankees win game four of the ALDS 7-3

The Yankees looked to keep their season alive Monday night for game 4 of the ALDS in the Bronx.  It was Luis Severino going to the bump facing off against game one star Trevor Bauer.  Severino was in pursuit of a bounce back start after only getting one out and allowing three earned runs in the Wild Card game last Tuesday against Minnesota, and he did just that.  Severino responded with an absolute gem, going 7.0 IP, with only 4 H, 3 ER, 1BB, and 9K, in the 7-3 win.  The bats also came to life again in game four, putting up seven runs and building up momentum into Cleveland on Wednesday.   The Yankees are now 3-0 in elimination games in the playoffs.

Photo Credit: Kathy Willens | AP

It was the Yankees breaking the scoreless tie with two outs in the bottom of the second as Todd Frazier doubled to left scoring Starlin Castro. The next batter Aaron Hicks singled scoring Frazier, which was followed up by a Brett Gardner single.  Aaron Judge then came through with his first hit of the series, a two RBI double, extending the Yankee lead to 4-0 and knocking Bauer out of the game.  

Greg Bird led off the bottom of the third with a walk, followed up by a double from Castro, giving the Yankees second and third with nobody out.  After a Chase Headley strikeout, Frazier walked to load the bases.  With two outs Giovanny Urshela’s second error of the game allows Hicks to score, making it 5-0 Yankees.

The Indians got on the board in the top of the fourth with a Carlos Santana two-run homer, scoring Jay Bruce.  That would be all the damage though as Severino was able to get out of the inning still up by three.

In the top of the fifth Roberto Perez hit a solo shot making it a 5-3 game. The Yankees got the run right back in the bottom of the inning with a shallow Gardner sacrifice fly, scoring Todd Frazier.

Photo Credit: Kathy Willens | AP

In the bottom of the sixth Gary Sanchez launched a solo blast to right, extending the lead to 7-3 Yankees.  A lead the Yankees would take through the rest of the game.

Photo Credit: Kathy Willens | AP

The game did not end as smoothly as it could have however, because Dellin Betances struggled mightily when he was called upon in the eighth inning. He walked the first two batters he faced and was lifted in favor of Tommy Kahnle who dominated. He recorded three straight outs to prevent any scoring and then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning while striking out the side to secure the win.

Yankee Stadium was electric all night long with various chants to get into the heads of the Indian players, constant enthusiasm, and a surplus of positive energy. The Old Yankee Stadium would be proud.

The Yankees will try to cap off this ALDS comeback on Wednesday night in Cleveland. It will be a pitching rematch from game two of CC Sabathia and Corey Kluber. Stay tuned into the BBB for all the coverage leading up to the game.

Winning Pitcher: Luis Severino (1-0,  3.86 ERA)  7.0 IP,  4 H,  3 ER, 9 K, BB

Losing Pitcher: Trevor Bauer  (1-1,  0.00 ERA) 1.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 3 K, 2 BB

Notables:

Brett Gardner: 2-4, R, RBI, K

Aaron Judge: 1-5, 2 RBI, 4 K

Gary Sanchez: 1-5, R, RBI HR, 2K

Starlin Castro: 1-4,  2 R, BB

Todd Frazier: 1-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, K

Aaron Hicks: 1-4, R, RBI

Tommy Kahnle: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K  

Jay Bruce: 1-3, R, BB, K

Carlos Santana: 1-4, R, 2 RBI, K

Roberto Perez: 1-3, R, RBI, K

Article by: Curtis Rattner

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