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NEW YORK – Corey Kluber couldn’t afford a walk down memory lane. The two American League Cy Young Awards, all four playoffs and a World Series appearance – these should go down in the past. To engage in such a moment at this crucial stage of the Yankees’ season, he said, would be “selfish.”
As he faced his former club for the first time, Kluber turned back time and invoked the precision that has become his hallmark in Cleveland. On a night when the Bombers had five homers, the right-hander offered the most encouraging sign by spinning six scoreless innings, celebrating an 8-0 victory over the Indians on Friday at Yankee Stadium.
“It doesn’t matter if I pitch against an old team or against someone else – we have to go out there and try to win every game, every night,” Kluber said. “That was the only goal tonight, to help secure a win for the team. That’s the position we’re in – we have to win every night.”
With 14 regular season games to play, the Yankees (83-65) edged up half a game to the Blue Jays (82-65) for the second AL Wild Card and trailed the Red Sox (84-65) by one. half-match for first place.
After far too many biting stories lately, the Yankees have enjoyed a well-deserved laugh, though most of their thunder has come later that night. Joey Gallo and Aaron Judge hit long balls early to support Kluber, who posted a 98-58 record and 3.16 ERA during his nine seasons at Cleveland from 2011-19.
Those glory days have been a far cry from Kluber’s mind this season, a campaign that featured a May 19 draw against the Rangers in Arlington and then a three-month stint on the injured list for a subscapular strain. law. He hadn’t won since shutting out this Texan squad, which featured Gallo hitting in fifth place.
“He looked like what he was when he threw a hit against us in Texas,” said Gallo. “I just didn’t know what he was going to throw, balls were moving around the plate all over the place. You had no idea what he was going to throw, and he was controlling his throws so well. did that appear to be left field. “
Kluber’s first three starts since returning from IL on Aug. 30 haven’t inspired much confidence in his playoff viability.
The Angels, Orioles and Mets hit Kluber for 11 runs in 11 2/3 innings (8.49 ERA), but the Indians had little response for his 95-pitch effort. Cleveland wide receiver Roberto Pérez said Kluber’s change has become a factor of difference.
“He still has it,” Pérez said. “He just added another weapon. When he was here it was an occasional change, but now he uses it all year round against righties and lefties. I thought his stuff looked good. The bike was about 90 [mph], but he got us off balance. He’s a veteran and he’s competing. “
Kluber escaped jams two, no out in the third and fifth innings, scattering four hits while striking out four, walking two and hitting a batter. Judge also passed a runner with a powerful right field throw in the second inning, his 10th assist of the year.
“I think it was good for the spirit,” said Yankees coach Aaron Boone.
All bats
The Bombers’ five homerun performance tied their season high, hitting right-hander Zach Plesac for five runs and seven hits in over six innings.
Gallo opened the scoring with a homerun in the second inning and Judge added his 35th homerun in the team lead in the fourth. Gio Urshela continued Plesac with a scoring single in the seventh point before Brett Gardner greeted Nick Wittgren with a three-run homerun that opened the game.
Giancarlo Stanton started a home run with an eighth out, and two shots later, Gallo hit his 37th home run of the season. Gallo has hit 12 home runs since joining the Yankees on the trade deadline.
“It’s always nice to easily win a game like this,” said Gallo. “In attack we have the formation that can do it. We need to do it more.”
Speaking of baseball
As the oldest Yankee, Gardner attended numerous pennant races in September during his years in the Bronx from the “Core Four” years to the present day.
With Friday’s win serving as a welcome palette cleaner for a painful loss to Baltimore, Gardner spoke briefly to the club after Friday’s contest, urging them to keep grinding as they look to end the regular season on a note. strong.
“This time of year it’s important to slow down the game and realize that we still have a great opportunity ahead of us,” said Gardner.
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