advertisement

Sears wins 1st MLB start, depleted Yanks blank Orioles 2-0

NEW YORK (AP) - All of a sudden, some of the biggest stars on the New York Yankees are absent.

Their lesser-known replacements are ready to keep the engine humming.

JP Sears pitched five poised innings to win his first career start and the no-name relievers left in New York's banged-up bullpen finished a five-hitter as the Yankees blanked the Baltimore Orioles 2-0 on Wednesday night.

'œIt's been a tough couple of days for us, just some people going down and things,'ť New York manager Aaron Boone said. 'œReally excited to see those guys step in and play a key role and help us get another series victory.'ť

Aaron Judge doubled and scored on a single by Miguel Andújar - his first RBI in the big leagues this season. Andújar was recalled from the minors Monday when Josh Donaldson went on the COVID-19 injured list.

New York added a second run in the fourth on a wild throw by rookie catcher Adley Rutschman. Gleyber Torres scored from third when the top-rated prospect, called up last weekend, committed his first error in the majors trying to nab Andújar stealing second.

Fill-in closer Clay Holmes struck out Jorge Mateo with runners at the corners to end it.

'œLot of guys, young guys stepping up right now, which is awesome to see,'ť Holmes said.

Before the game, the ailing Yankees placed slugger Giancarlo Stanton (right ankle inflammation) and reliever Jonathan Loáisiga (right shoulder inflammation) on the injured list. The team has lost eight mostly prominent players to injuries or COVID-19 protocols in recent days.

But still, New York shut down the struggling Orioles on Star Wars night at Yankee Stadium to win a second consecutive game following its first three-game slide of the year. Judge and the Yankees took two of three in the series and boast the best record in baseball at 31-13 heading into their first matchup this season with AL East rival Tampa Bay.

Sears (2-0) worked around a leadoff walk and an error in the first inning, then pitched out of trouble again in the second. The 26-year-old lefty, recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before the game, allowed three hits and two walks while striking out five in a spot start after last Friday's rainout forced a doubleheader Sunday.

'œI definitely felt more comfortable as I went," Sears said. 'œThe stuff was sharper each inning I was out there.'ť

With his parents and girlfriend cheering from the stands, Sears averaged 93.7 mph with his fastball and mixed 55 heaters and 24 sliders with five changeups. He threw just four pitches in a 1-2-3 fourth.

'œIt was awesome. I had my family here and 15 friends," said Sears, optioned back to Triple-A after the game. 'œI got to see them all and it makes it even better because they were here and I look forward to the next one, whenever that is.'ť

Rookie right-hander Ron Marinaccio struck out three in two perfect innings. Lucas Luetge got two outs in the eighth and Miguel Castro fanned Austin Hays with a runner on to end the inning.

Holmes, subbing for injured All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman, gave up two hits in the ninth before securing his fifth save. Holmes threw 14 of 15 pitches for strikes and extended his scoreless streak to 23 innings.

"You're seeing a really complete and polished stud,'ť Boone said.

New York's normally imposing bullpen is also missing injured setup men Chad Green and Zack Britton.

'œIn the meantime, we're going to have to have guys step up and I think we realize that and we look forward to the challenge,'ť Holmes said. 'œI think we've pushed each other and we make each other better, and it's fun to see guys come through.'ť

FOR THE BIRDS

Orioles starter Tyler Wells (1-4) permitted two runs and five hits in five innings without a walk.

'œHis stuff was good,'ť said Rutschman, who had two hits. 'œHe was able to locate his pitches, move his fastball around. I think he looked really good.'ť

Wells got help from right fielder Anthony Santander, who saved a run with a diving grab to rob Judge of a hit in the fifth.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Orioles: LHP Alexander Wells (elbow inflammation) was transferred to the 60-day injured list when Baltimore claimed RHP Chris Vallimont off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Vallimont was optioned to Double-A Bowie.

Yankees: Joey Gallo was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list and started at DH. Donaldson remained on the COVID-19 list, and All-Star infielder DJ LeMahieu sat out for the second consecutive night because of left wrist discomfort. LeMahieu was feeling better after a cortisone shot Tuesday and the team hopes to have him back in a day or two.

ROSTER SHUFFLE

After the game, the Yankees also optioned OF Estevan Florial back to Triple-A. LHP Manny Bañuelos was in the clubhouse ready to go on the road trip as a member of the taxi squad.

UP NEXT

Orioles: Following an off day, Baltimore begins a five-game series at Fenway Park on Friday night. RHP Kyle Bradish (1-3, 5.74 ERA) is scheduled to make his sixth career start - and second against Boston.

Yankees: Open a four-game series Thursday night at Tampa Bay with LHP Nestor Cortes (3-1, 1.80 ERA) on the mound. Tampa Bay went 11-8 against the Yankees last year, outscoring them 98-50 on the way to its second consecutive division title.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Spots

New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka, left, celebrates with relief pitcher Clay Holmes after the team's 2-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The Associated Press
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge hits a double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The Associated Press
New York Yankees' Ron Marinaccio pitches during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The Associated Press
New York Yankees' Miguel Andujar hits an RBI single during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The Associated Press
New York Yankees' Miguel Andujar (41) steals second base as Baltimore Orioles' Jorge Mateo (3) tries to catch the throw during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in New York. Gleyber Torres scored on a throwing error by Adley Rutschman on the play. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The Associated Press
Baltimore Orioles' Tyler Wells pitches during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the New York Yankees on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The Associated Press
New York Yankees gesture to Miguel Andujar (41) after he hit an RBI single during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in New York. The Yankees won 2-0. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.