J.A. Happ tossed his best game of the season on Saturday afternoon, leading the New York Yankees to a 5-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
The New York Yankees bounced back on Saturday after a series-opening loss to the Boston Red Sox with a 5-1 win. J.A. Happ showed up in a big way and a wild fourth inning gave the Yankees all the runs they needed to come away with the win.
Happ finished the night with 6.1 innings of scoreless ball. He allowed only two hits and punched out seven before turning it over to Adam Ottavino.
Ottavino, Tommy Kahnle, Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman shut the door, with Chapman allowing the only Boston run of the game.
In addition to the added pressure that comes with playing the Red Sox, Happ is pitching for his postseason life. After a strong 2018, he’s been simply atrocious this season. Outings like Saturday’s will go a long way in earning him a spot on the postseason roster.
On offense, a crazy fourth inning led to four Yankees runs. With DJ LeMahieu on first, Didi Gregorius ripped a line drive to right field. J.D. Martinez lost it in the sun and Gregorius advanced to second.
With men on second and third, Gary Sanchez hit a pop up to right field that fell between Martinez, Brock Holt and Mitch Moreland then bounced into the stands. LeMahieu and Gregorius scored on the ground rule double.
GARY with a 2-run DOUBLE to put the YANKS on the board!#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/Eh46GD2W4Q
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 7, 2019
Following that, Edwin Encarnacion launched a moonshot over the green monster for his 32nd long ball of the year.
THE PARROT IS LOOSE IN BOSTON! ?? EDWIN! OMG!
2-RUN BLAST OVER THE MONSTER!
4-0 YANKS#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/SrsXHzxdTH
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 7, 2019
Encarnacion added an insurance run in the ninth, hitting a double to score Sanchez.
Have a day EDWIN! ???
Yankees lead 5-0!#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/qOdA0q6LJi
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 7, 2019
Savage of the Game - J.A. Happ
Happ threw his best game of the year on Saturday and set the tone for a decisive win. He allowed only two hits and one walk while working into the seventh inning. A few more outings like that and he might be in the conversation for long relief pitching come October.
