Yankee Luis Severino Earns First Major League Win

Yankee Luis Severino Earns First Major League Win

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- Luis Severino earned his first major league victory in his fourth start on Saturday afternoon following the tribute to Jorge Posada. The exciting victory for the young hurler kept the Yanks in first place in the American League East. Severino was the 14th player to make his major league debut for the Yankees this season, but the first as a starting pitcher. On August 5, at the age of 21 years and 166 days, the rookie was the youngest pitcher to start a game in MLB in 2015.

The prime reason for his inability to win any of his three previous starts this year was his lack of run support by his teammates. The Yanks only scored twice in his first three outings combined while on Saturday, they scored seven runs.

Severino yielded a home run to the second batter in the contest, Indians shortstop Francisco Linder. The homer was the only extra-base hit given up by the Dominican native. He was only touched for two singles throughout his six innings on the mound, one by Linder in the second and the other by Lonnie Chisenhall in the fourth.

What was different for Severino was his lack of normal control. He walked four batters in six innings on Saturday, but in his previous three starts only walk four in 17 innings. In 99.1 innings in the minors this season, only 27 batters drew walks.

Yankee skipper Joe Girardi assessed the performance of the newcomer, “I thought he pitched a good game without his best stuff.” The manager believed his ability to overcome adversity is a very good sign for the youngster’s future in the majors, “The more tough situations you get through, the more confidence you should get. He had composure and he didn’t get fazed in his first big league camp in the spring. Everything we’ve seen from him we like. I think he’ll be around a long time.”

The rookie expressed confidence of his ability and responsibility without showing any arrogance, “Sometimes you just have to go out there and do the best you can [even without your best stuff]. I know I have a good team behind me. For the first time, I feel like I belong here.”

After the large group of mainstream media left his cubicle, several reporters spoke to him in Spanish. He visibly perked up when reminded of a luncheon he was to be honored at in Manhattan on Monday afternoon. He told them some of his family members were here to support his early efforts in the majors. He exhibited a warm personality and good humor when made to feel comfortable.

He is currently the only Yankee starting pitcher to have an ERA under 3.00. His 2.74 should keep in the rotation regularly as the team vies for a spot in the playoffs.