Two days after turning a first-of-its-kind triple play, the team went around the horn in the ninth inning to finish a win against Oakland.
Expected to contend for division and World Series titles, the Yankees have been maddeningly inconsistent this season, from their winning to their offense to their pitching. But in at least one unusual feat, turning triple plays, they have excelled, and their latest iteration, their third of the season, helped them secure a victory in dramatic fashion on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees were clinging to a 2-1 lead over the Oakland Athletics in the top of the ninth inning, but closer Aroldis Chapman was in a bind with no outs. He threw just one strike to Jed Lowrie and Tony Kemp combined, walking both batters. Up came catcher Sean Murphy, and Yankees Manager Aaron Boone had two relievers warming in the bullpen. After a mound visit from Boone and a trainer about a problem with a nail on his throwing hand, his left, Chapman conferred quickly with his catcher, Gary Sanchez. He simply wanted Chapman, a high strikeout pitcher, to find the strike zone against Murphy, then fan him then get a double play to get out of the jam.
