Inside The Pinstripes

Yankees' Bullpen Staves Off Rangers Comeback in One-Run Win

The New York Yankees bullpen was lights out at Yankee Stadium, halting a comeback from the visiting Texas Rangers to clinch a series opening victory
Max Goodman|
Yankees' Bullpen Staves Off Rangers Comeback in One-Run Win
Yankees' Bullpen Staves Off Rangers Comeback in One-Run Win

NEW YORK — With 12 games remaining in the regular season and a postseason spot rapidly slipping away, it's all hands on deck for the Yankees to make sure they don't miss the playoffs.

On Monday night against the visiting Texas Rangers, it was the bullpen that came up clutch for those in pinstripes, twirling 4.2 scoreless innings to stave off a comeback and secure a 4-3 victory at Yankee Stadium. 

Nestor Cortes Jr. started for the Yankees, finding a rhythm through his first four frames. When the Bombers put up three runs in the bottom of the third, extending their early lead to four runs, it looked like New York was in business to cruise past their lowly opponent.

In the fifth, however, the left-hander ran into some trouble, surrendering a solo shot to Rangers third baseman Charlie Culberson high off the foul pole in left. Two hits later and manager Aaron Boone pulled the plug, summoning right-hander Chad Green out of the bullpen. 

Green allowed a sacrifice fly in that frame, but went on to shove 1.2 spotless frames. Clay Holmes, Joely Rodríguez and closer Aroldis Chapman finished the job from there. 

Rodríguez was the only reliever that broke a sweat, facing former Yankees prospect Nick Solak with two runners on and two men out in the eighth. Rodriguez got Solak to offer on a changeup in the dirt, stranding both runners and ending the threat. 

Chapman retired the side in order in the ninth, recording his 28th save of the season. 

In the win, catcher Gary Sánchez clobbered his 22nd home run of the season, a solo shot to left field to get the scoring started in the second. A rally the following frame, including two RBI singles and a sacrifice fly, gave New York their final three runs scored on the night. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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