The Yankees’ streak continued despite a ninth-inning scare, which may have allowed for future save opportunities through a committee approach.
Wandy Peralta retired Freddie Freeman as the bases were loaded for the final out. New York beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 in a thrilling Tuesday night thriller to extend its longest winning streak of 36 years to 11 games.
DJ LeMahieu’s two-run homer in the fifth gave New York the lead. Giancarlo Stanton and Rougned Odor also went deep for the Yankees.
Aroldis Chapman of New York, an attempt to maintain a 5-3 lead, allowed two hits and two walks in ninth. Chapman’s base-loaded walk to Jorge Soler cut down the lead to one. Manager Aaron Boone pulled Chapman to Peralta just in time for him to face the reigning NL MVP.
Boone was impressed by Peralta’s performance in high-stress situations.
Boone stated, “As difficult a situation you can possibly be brought into — Freddie Freeman staring at you with the bases loaded — and he just done a tremendous job,”
Peralta was 3-1 down in the count, before Peralta threw five consecutive changeups. Freeman fouled off four consecutively before hitting a game-ending flyout in deep left field.
Brian Snitker, Braves manager, said that Freeman had “had a hellu at-bat” before adding that the rally was “just one hit away.”
Peralta was awarded his third save by the Yankees, and his fifth in his career. Both of the saves came earlier in the season with San Francisco.
Boone didn’t mention if Chapman would remain the closer or if he would share the role.
Boone stated, “We have to figure it out. The bottom line is that a lot people are doing really great things down there.”
Since returning from the COVID-19 injures list, Peralta allowed just one run in nine games.
Peralta stated through a translator that “I’m very happy with the chance to enter the game whenever the game is on line.” “It’s about preparing myself for any situation that may arise in the game.”
The Yankees were four games behind Tampa Bay, which was first in the AL East.
New York’s 11-game winning streak is the longest since Aug. 31, 1985, and Sept. 10, 1985.
Chapman surrendered a single to Adam Duvall, before Guillermo Heredia struck out. Chapman walked Ehire Adrianez before Ozzie Albies hit a grounder to third for an infield hit and loaded the bases. Jorge Soler was walked by the left-hander on a full count pitch to force in a run.
LeMahieu broke the tie at 2-all by bringing Charlie Morton’s curveball to the Yankees’ bullpen. Andrew Velazquez was able to score with the homer.
Stanton also scored a home run in the second against Morton’s hanging curve. Stanton scored in the second game of the interleague series, which New York won.
Odor’s seventh-inning drive from Chris Martin was deep in the right field stands.
Dansby Swanson’s two-run double in the first were the only runs allowed in four innings by Yankees starter Andrew Heaney.
Morton (12-5) allowed six runs and four hits in five innings. He had nine strikeouts. Before facing the Yankees, Morton allowed just one homer in his four August starts.
Clay Holmes (2-0), third Yankees reliever, won the win with a scoreless ninth.
Atlanta’s JocPederson was removed by Chris Conroy, the umpire at the plate. He had struck out on an infield pitch to end the fourth with runners on second and first. Pederson fell on the ground, and then claimed that Heaney’s pitch had hit him on the hand.
The Braves were beaten by the Atlanta Braves, who fell to 6-14 in interleague matches.
TRAINER’S ROHROOM
Boone indicated that surgery could be possible for Zack Britton, a left-elbow strainer. Boone stated that Britton is still “still kinda gathering opinions” and will visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache next Wednesday, when the team faces the Los Angeles Angels. After possibly completing his rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Somerset, 3B Gio Urshela (left hip) may meet the team in Oakland. SS Gleyber Torres, a left thumb strain sufferer, is training at Somerset in preparation for a possible rehab assignment. Corey Kluber, RHP (right shoulder strain), had his rehab assignment transferred from Somerset to him and is now “getting ready for the mix,” Boone said. The right-hander pitched 60 pitches against Double A Akron. He allowed two runs and five hits in three innings and had four strikeouts. One walk was also allowed. Urshela was 1 for 4, for Somerset, in the same game.
NEW DAD
Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud was back after missing three games while he was on the paternity waiting list for Monday’s birth. William Contreras was the replacement for d’Arnaud and was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
REPLAY
New York led 4-2, Austin Riley’s single to the middle of Joely Rodriguez in the fifth drove the Albies in Albies. However, a close play at plate prevented the Braves from trying to tie the game. Freeman was removed from the game on Velazquez’s relay from shortstop. This call stood after a review of 1 minute, 40 seconds. Freeman’s left shoe was believed to have touched the plate before Gary Sanchez’s tag.
ROSTER MOVE
After the game, the Yankees optioned OF Jonathan Davis to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
UP NEXT
Yankees: RHP Jameson Taillon, 8.94 ERA, is scheduled to begin when New York opens a series at Oakland against RHP James Kaprielian (7-4.3.25) on Thursday night. This follows an off-day on Wednesday.
Braves: Atlanta’s five-game homestand against San Francisco will resume Friday. LHP Max Fried (11-7; 3.49 ERA) will start. The Braves will be off Wednesday and Thursday.
