CINCINNATI – The Yankees have been having a good time lately.
They completed a three-game sweep of the Reds with a 4–1 win on Sunday afternoon in front of 33,828 spectators at Great American Ball Park. It was the fourth straight win for New York, the club’s sixth in their last seven meetings, and their 11th in their last 14.
Center fielder Harrison Bader said, “All we can say is that we improved a lot today.”
The reason for Bader’s comment was the return of Dominican right-hander Luis Severino.
Severino made his debut this season after beginning the year on the disabled list with a right back muscle strain. He pitched 4.2 innings and went five while allowing one run, four hits, and one walk. The right-hander reached his 75-pitch limit, striking out one before he was eligible for the win.
“It’s amazing to see him back on the mound,” Bader said. “The way he works, his stuff, his energy. Being able to see what he does, how he works. I have a great view from center field. It’s electric. I’m happy to have him back.” Couldn’t be.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented: “Savvy was great. Pitching nearly five full innings was key. I think it just got better and better. The pitches he missed were good. He emptied the tank.” completed the day, you can see that he had a little extra fuel at the end of the game.
Severino felt himself getting stronger as the day wore on.
“I really liked it,” he remarked. “I felt like he was hitting the ground after the first walk. Everything else was fine there. I felt good. I was saving something for last.”
Although he was satisfied with his opening, Severino would have liked to have won.
“I was disappointed,” he admitted. “But we got the win. That’s the most important thing”.
Severino walked Jonathan India, the first batter he faced, which quickly led to a controversial play. Two outs later, Spencer Steuer flew out down the right field line. Jake Bowers touched the ball in fair territory but could not keep it in the glove. It was initially called a foul, but the Reds protested and the decision was overturned.
Boone was excommunicated for discussing sentencing.
The referee awarded a double to Steere and India home plate, giving the Reds a 1–0 lead. Boone wanted an explanation as to why India were sent to the plate. Boone revealed that he had been ejected because what had been decided in the replays could not be discussed.
“She shouldn’t have been thrown out there,” he said. “I was saying: my fault.”
Reds starter Hunter Green faced at least 12 batters in the first four innings, thanks to a double play and steal.
But Willie Calhoun started the fifth with a walk. Four pitches later, Bader hit 108.4 mph and 411 feet for his fourth home run of 2023, giving the Yankees a 2–1 lead.
Gleyber Torres made it 3–1 with a solo shot to right, his seventh homer of the year. The Yankees added a run in the seventh on Anthony Volpe’s RBI double.
After Severino left the mound, New York’s bullpen retired 11 straight before the Reds loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth. The bullpen posted a 1.34 ERA on the seven-game road trip, a big reason the Yankees went 6–1 on the trip.
“A great tour,” summed up Boone. “It was a tough stretch, 33 games in 34 days. We’ve taken some hits. We’ve had some guys out. I’m excited by how well this team is competing. They come in eager, prepare and compete. They’re just operating at a higher level.”
