Andrew Heaney pitched his best game as a Yank — shutting down the Red Sox through 7 innings and leaving with a 4-1 lead, and shortstop Andrew Velazquez had the game of his life — with 2 hits and 2 RBI’s, including the game-winning hit, and a spectacular defensive play to end the game to end a Boston rally.
It all allowed NY to beat Boston 5-2 and sweep the 3-game series at The Stadium, vaulting the Yanks to be a game ahead of Boston — after trailing them by 10 games on July 4th.
1. Heaney Spectacular
Andrew Heaney allowed a solo homer to Xander Bogaerts with 2 outs in the top of the 1st and it looked like it was going to be a long evening for him and NY.
But Heaney settled down and was fantastic — his off-speed pitch off speeding; he pitched shutout ball for the next 6 innings; working his 80-MPH curve, 84-MPH changeup, and intermixing his 91-MPH four-seam fastball.
Heaney’s line: 7 innings, 2 hits, 1 run, 4 K’s, 2 BB’s, and the win to go 8-8 5.51 on the year.
Savior for the Yanks on this important night against the Red Sox. What a Great pickup by Brian Cashman.
2. Velazquez Leads Big Yank Rally in 2nd
The Yankees loaded the bases in the bottom of the 2nd off Boston starter Nick Pivetta — a single by Giancarlo Stanton, walk to Rougned Odor, and single by Gary Sanchez. Brett Gardner then hit a sac fly to score the tying run and make it 1-1.
Andrew Velazquez singled to put the Yanks up 2-1.
Anthony Rizzo hit a shot that the 1st baseman Bobby Dalbec couldn’t handle — it went down the right field line in foul territory for a single and 2 more runs and NY had a 4-1 lead.
Whole squad ready. pic.twitter.com/8vp5QiTYxB
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 19, 2021
3. Velazquez With Insurance RBI in 8th
Gary Sanchez hit a 1-out double in the 8th, and Andrew Velazquez hit a 2-out single to plate him for a huge insurance run.
Hometown Hero, @squid718 👏 pic.twitter.com/q5u3JU2nba
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 19, 2021
4. Chapman Melt Down
Aroldis Chapman just back from a 2-week layoff to get himself back together, was called on to protect a 5-1 lead in the 9th. It didn’t go well.
Chapman struck out the first batter he faced but then allowed a homer to Hunter Renfroe and it was 5-2. Chapman then issued a walk but got a groundout, and with 2 outs was ‘this’ close to finishing the game.
But JD Martinez singled to make it 1st and 3rd, 2 out, and the tying run coming to the plate in Kevin Plawecki and Chapman was GONE.
5. Velazquez Spectacular Play to End It
Lucas Luetge came in and Plawecki engaged him in a 9-pitch at bat — hitting 3 straight foul balls on a 1-2 pitch before working the count to 3-2. Plawecki then hit a grounder to deep short that Velazquez made the play of the game on — skidding to his left to snare it then rising off the seat of his pants to throw a one-hop beamer to 1st that Anthony Rizzo made a great snare on for the old ballgame. The play was reviewed but it stood and the Yanks had the sweep and 2nd place.
Velazquez ➡️ Rizzo to secure the W. pic.twitter.com/zLbksXagpO
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 19, 2021
The Boxscore
https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401228860
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