Recap: Chad Green Shines as Yankees Avoid Sweep

Chad Green was summoned from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre specifically to make a spot start– just the second of his career–and the rookie turned in one of the best outings the Yankees (40-41) have had in weeks to help salvage the final game in San Diego, for a 6-3 win.

Back in May, when Green made his debut against Arizona, he allowed six runs (two unearned) in just four innings. But the 25-year-old leads the International League in ERA this year, and on Sunday, he showed what has made him one of the best starters the minors have to offer.

Armed with a fastball that touched 97 mph, Green allowed just one run in six innings while striking out eight. He surrendered just three hits and didn’t walk a batter in his first big league win.

The Yankees scored a run in the second inning on a double play for a 1-0 lead. In the third, Green’s only blemish came in the form of a Yangervis Solarte game-tying solo shot, but the Yanks answered right back. Didi Gregorius homered in the fourth, his ninth of the year, which tied his career-high.

In yet another one-run game, it looked like the Yankees were setting up, again, for their bullpen formula. Joe Girardi went to Dellin Betances in the seventh despite Green having thrown just 75 pitches. Betances allowed two base hits to start the inning, but he hunkered down, getting a fielder’s choice and a pair of strikeouts to escape unscathed.

Then the Yankees began to pull away.

In the eighth, Mark Teixeira hit his 400th career home run– a solo shot– to provide a little breathing room. Andrew Miller got out of a two-on, two-out jam in the bottom of the frame, and the Yanks went back to work in the ninth.

Jacoby Ellsbury drew a walk and promptly stole second. Brett Gardner drove him in with a single. Teixeira then hit his second homer in as many innings, this one a two-run blast, to put the Yankees ahead, 6-1.

After Anthony Swarzak allowed a two-run home run to Alex Dickerson in the ninth, Girardi quickly called on Aroldis Chapman to slam the door. The flame-throwing lefthander did just that, retiring three straight Padres’ hitters. Chapman earned his 16th save in 17 chances to send the Yankees on their way to a happy flight to Chicago.

The Bombers will continue their 10-game, three-city road trip on Monday afternoon with the first of three against the White Sox. CC Sabathia (5-5, 3.17 ERA) will make the start on extra rest. The ChiSox will counter with the struggling James Shields (3-9, 5.85 ERA). First pitch is slated for 2:10 PM in an Independence Day matinee.

Notes

• With his third inning homer, Didi Gregorius has gone deep in three of the last five games.
• Mark Teixeira has homered four times in his past seven games. He became the fifth switch hitter to join the 400 club (Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray, Chipper Jones and Carlos Beltran).
• Aaron Hicks reached base all four times with three hits and a walk.