New York Yankees Recap: Eovaldi Cruises, Lineup Bruises

The Yankees (11-17) have certainly provided much frustration in the first month of the 2016 season, but suddenly they’ve won three out of four games and have shown signs of life both on the mound and at the plate.

Today it was a strong eight-inning performance from Nathan Eovaldi, and a top-to-bottom effort from the offense that guided the Yankees to an 8-2 win over the Red Sox (17-13).

In what has normally been a disastrous scenario for the Yankees in 2016, Didi Gregorius came through with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth, doubling to right off David Price to clear the bases and give the Bombers a 4-1 lead. The big hit the team and fans alike have been waiting for finally came, and it seemed to ignite the rest of the lineup and Eovaldi just the same.

With both Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller unavailable out of the bullpen, Joe Girardi needed length from his starter today. Eovaldi experienced a couple of bumps in the road– a run in the second and a Jackie Bradley, Jr. solo shot in the fifth– but was just what the doctor ordered. He struck six, walked none and allowed just six hits on 107 pitches in eight innings.

He retired the last eight Boston hitters he faced, and became just the second Yankee pitcher this year to get through eight innings. Eovaldi bounced back in a big way from his disappointing start in Boston last Sunday, and just like that, the Yankees have gotten four consecutive quality starts from their starting pitchers.

The Yankees continue to beat up on Price, who’s ERA is now an unsightly 6.75. Price lasted just 4.2 innings, exiting after Carlos Beltran’s two-run double gave the Yankees a 6-2 lead. All six of those runs came with two outs. Chase Headley had two hits.

Gregorius had the big double. Austin Romine bumped his average up to .348 after going 3-for-4 with two RBI. All told, the bottom third of the Yankee order combined for seven hits and six RBI. Aaron Hicks joined the party for the second day in a row, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.

It may be too soon to say the team is turning a corner, but they’ve now scored seven or more runs three times in the last week and the starters have mostly delivered.

The Yankees have a chance to continue that slow turn tomorrow, as a sweep of the Red Sox is on the table. New York will send the struggling Luis Severino (0-4, 6.71) to the mound while Boston will counter with knuckleballer Steven Wright (2-3, 1.67). First pitch is scheduled for 8:05pm on ESPN.