Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
For just over four hours on Friday, the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees couldn’t get the big hit.
Both teams are hoping for significantly better performances at the plate Saturday night when the Yankees host the Cubs in the middle of a three-game series.
The Yankees outlasted the Cubs to a 2-1 win, and they didn’t get their 13th win in 16 games until pinch hitter Jose Trevino fielded a two-out RBI single in the 13th inning. His hit capped a game in which six New York relievers combined to pitch seven scoreless innings a night after the bullpen pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a 10-7 win at Minnesota.
“I thought the energy was really good after a big comeback win, a long road trip,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “So I was happy from that point of view, but it’s a credit to these guys making sure they’re ready to go.”
Trevino’s hit capped a game in which the Yankees went 1 for 19 with runners in scoring position, blocked 17 but did enough to become the first team since the 2017 Houston Astros to win at least 42 of their first 58 games.
“I was just ready – every time,” Trevino said. “We just needed a hit.”
The Cubs are on a four-game losing streak and fell to 0-6 all-time against the Yankees in regular-season games in New York.
Jason Heyward homered and rookie Christopher Morel hit base for the 22nd straight game. Morel’s streak is the longest to start a career in Chicago history and the longest since Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli reached in 24 straight games to start his career at Tampa Bay in 2003.
Chicago’s offense was 0 for 18 with runners in scoring position and had two hits after the sixth inning.
“It lets you know you’re playing good baseball every game and not giving away games,” Heyward said. “It’s hard to lose games, but during the season you’d rather be beaten than given away and I think those are the things we need to pay attention to and focus on.”
The Cubs lost Nick Madrigal to a tight groin, and the second baseman may not play Saturday.
After Luis Severino struck out 10 and gave up a run in six innings on Friday, Jordan Montgomery (1-1, 3.02 ERA) will try to replicate the Yankees’ start. Montgomery has yet to allow more than three runs in any start this season and has given up two or fewer runs in nine starts.
Montgomery pitched last Sunday when he allowed two runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision game against Detroit. The Yankees won 5-4 in 10 innings.
The southpaw picked up the win in his only career appearance against the Cubs when he allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits in 6 2/3 innings on May 6, 2017 in Chicago.
Matt Swarmer (1-0, 1.50) will make his third career start and is the first Chicago starter since Gene Lillard in 1939 to start his major league career by pitching at least six innings and allowing a run or less . The 28-year-old rookie last pitched a week ago when he allowed a run on two hits over six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals for his first career victory.
–Field level media
