Severino silences Blue Jays’ bats as Yankees split series

Michael King was able escape a bases loaded, no-outs jam by Aroldischapman to preserve New York Yankees 3-0 win over Toronto Blue Jays. Luis Severino had become the first pitcher in history to strike out Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero struckout four times, his first strike in his career. He did this after hitting three homers and going 4-for-4.

Chapman, who was 3-0 ahead, threw just four pitches for strikes. He walked Santiago Espinal, Cavan Biggio and Matt Champman, Toronto’s bottom three batters.

Aaron Boone, Yankees manager, removed Chapman to make way for King (a 26-year old right-hander).

King struck out George Springer in the first save of his major league career. King threw a fastball for a third strike and he threw three pitches.

Bo Bichette called a strike with Guerrero in the on deck circle. He then hit a soft liners to second baseman DJ LeMahieu. Chapman threw to first for the final out. Toronto was defeated by the Yankees for the second time in this four-game series.

Severino (1-0), who allowed two hits over five innings, struck out six, and walked two more, was credited with the first of his two runs. Before the ninth-inning drama, Lucas Luetge was followed by Miguel Castro, Clay Holmes, and Chad Green.

After a 95-minute rain delay, Severino earned his first win as a start pitcher since Sept. 22, 2019. He also won against Toronto. He threw 83 pitches, which is 18 more than his season debut against Boston. He also averaged 97.4mph for 33 fastballs.

Jose Trevino scored RBI singles against Kevin Gausman (0-1), and Isiah Kner-Falefa had three hits, scoring on Trevino’s hits. New York’s No. 8-9 hitters were 4 for 43 and had one RBI.

Giancarlo Stanley added an RBI groundout for the eighth.

Guerrero hit the first with a changeup and took a third strike on a cutter at the corner. In the third, Guerrero whiffed on a Severino switchup. Holmes opened the eighth and he struck out with a slider.

Gausman gave up two runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out nine batters and walked none.