NEW YORK – A few hours before first pitch on Saturday, Aaron Boone slumped into a chair in Yankee Stadium’s press conference room, visibly worn down after weeks of fielding questions about Aaron Judge’s throwing arm.
The manager revealed that the Yankees have had infielders working on “creative cuts,” intended to assist the captain as he recovers from a right flexor strain. Time will tell if that solves whatever issues linger, but this much is clear: No such accommodations are necessary for Cody Bellinger.
Bellinger turned in the defensive highlight of the afternoon, uncorking a sixth-inning rocket from right field that erased the potential tying run in the Yankees’ 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays.
“I feel like every win at this point is pretty big,” Bellinger said. “I got a good jump on it. With two outs, I assumed they would be aggressive. I just wanted to make a good throw to [catcher Austin] Wells there. He did a good job of getting the ball and putting the tag on.”
The Yankees (79-63) trimmed Toronto’s (82-60) American League East lead to three games, improving to 4-8 in the season series while keeping control of the AL Wild Card race. A decisive rubber game awaits Sunday.
“We know what’s at stake,” Boone said. “We know how important these games are. But you also can’t make them bigger than what they are. It’s a game – we’ve got to go play well, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Rain fell in the top of the sixth as Nathan Lukes’ single splashed onto the outfield grass. Bellinger came up firing with a 95.3 mph, one-hop strike to Wells that cut down Bo Bichette at home plate.
“With the grass being wet, ideally, I wanted to get a nice little one-hop to him,” Bellinger said.
Yankees right-hander Luis Gil said that once the ball was hit to Bellinger, he was “very confident” the inning would end.
“I felt he was going to have a good shot at it,” Gil said through interpreter Marlon Abreu. “He’s great out there.”
Bichette immediately reached for his left leg after the play, while a fired-up Wells bounded toward his dugout, exchanging high-fives with teammates. Bichette’s shin was torn up by Wells’ shin guards, according to Toronto manager John Schneider, who said the infielder will be evaluated before Sunday’s finale.
“It didn’t look great, but we’re at the point where if you can play, you can play,” Schneider said.
Heavy storms prompted the tarpaulin to be dragged out immediately following that play, with a 106-minute delay on deck. Boone said his team “chilled out” – some filled the time by tuning in to college football – then came back primed to finish the job.
“This time of year, you’re playing for a lot,” Boone said. “You’re playing a division rival that you’re looking up at in the standings. That downtime can add to the anxiety and the waiting around.”
Bellinger’s throw preserved a Yankees lead built upon Jasson Domínguez’s run-scoring single and a Wells sacrifice fly, both in the second inning. Wells added a second sac fly in the sixth.
Gil, meanwhile, was effectively wild. He limited Toronto to one run on three hits across a season-high six innings, walking four and striking out one.
“I’m getting back to where I want to be,” Gil said. “The good thing is I’m continuing to win, even if things aren’t exactly how I’d want.”
Boone noted Gil is “still working it out,” adding, “There’s definitely more in there.” But Gil’s unpredictability kept a powerful lineup in check.
“To hold that lineup to one run is not an easy task,” Bellinger said. “They did a great job today. We manufactured a few runs. It was just a really good win overall.”
The bullpen took it from there. New York’s bullpen trio of Luke Weaver (who got two outs), Fernando Cruz (one inning) and David Bednar (1 1/3 innings) slammed the door. Bednar – who was acquired from the Pirates before the Trade Deadline – said the club’s relief roles are beginning to appear more defined.
“I think everybody’s settling in a little bit more now,” Bednar said. “I think the biggest thing for me is just being ready anytime the phone rings – whenever that is.”