The New York Yankees bullpen showed lockdown stuff Monday night, as four relievers combined for eight strikeouts in four innings.
That included three by setup man Dellin Betances as he pitched the eighth and two by closer Aroldis Chapman in the ninth as the Yankees held on for a 4-2 against the Nationals. Trea Turner flied out to deep right for the last out with two runners on base.
That kind of swing-and-miss stuff is what Nationals manager Dave Martinez hopes to get from new reliever Kelvin Herrera, who was acquired in a trade from the Kansas City Royals during the game Monday.
“He’s really good,” Martinez said late Monday. “I’m excited to have him. He’s going to fit in.”
Herrera, who came in a deal for three minor leaguers, is a two-time All-Star and was part of the Kansas City team that won the 2015 World Series. Martinez was not sure if the new pitcher will be available for the home game Tuesday against Baltimore.
This year Herrera, 28, has 14 saves in 27 games this year for the Royals and has struck out 22 batters with just two walks in 25.2 innings.
He figures to be used as a setup man for Washington closer Sean Doolittle, who got a save earlier Monday in a 5-3 win against the Yankees in the completion of a suspended game.
“We have an All-Star closer right now,” Martinez said of Doolittle.
Nationals starting pitcher Erick Fedde (0-2), in his third start this year for the Nationals, gave up seven hits and three runs in 5.1 innings Monday. He fell to 0-2 and has an ERA of 5.63 this season for Washington.
“It is something you build off your last start,” said Fedde, who started Wednesday at New York. “The other day I used my changeup a lot (on Wednesday). I am pitching my best stuff against what they have got. I am capable of pitching up here. That is definitely a good lineup. I think I can grow for it.”
Overall the Nationals fanned 15 times Monday. They are now 38-32, and are 3.5 games back of the first-place Atlanta Braves.
Washington will begin a three-game series at home Tuesday with Baltimore, and Martinez announced Monday night that right-hander Jefry Rodriguez would be called up from Double-A Harrisburg and start the series opener.
Rodriguez pitched Thursday for Harrisburg and made a start earlier this year for the Nationals. Wander Suero pitched in both games Monday and is a possible candidate to get sent down for Rodriguez.
The Nationals had just five hits Monday and Yankee starter Sonny Gray (5-4) got the win.
Bryce Harper was 0-for-4 and is now hitting .212.
Catcher Pedro Severino was 0-for-4 and is hitting .190.
Daniel Murphy, just off the disabled list, was 1-for-2 with a double and is hitting .136.
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