Yankees bullpen shines in encouraging sign before postseason

BALTIMORE — Arguably the most important unit the Yankees have to get right heading into October put together another mostly encouraging day Sunday. 

Six relievers combined to pitch 4 ²/₃ scoreless innings, holding the Orioles at bay until the Yankees finally erupted in the 10th inning for a 7-1 win at Camden Yards. 

In relief of Cam Schlittler in a 1-1 game, lefty Tim Hill got the final two outs of the sixth inning and then retired another left-handed hitter to lead off the seventh.

Fernando Cruz struck out one around putting a pair of runners on, which forced Luke Weaver into the game to eventually get Jackson Holliday to ground out and leave the bases loaded. 

Devin Williams struck out the side in the eighth against the heart of the order — which is when Aaron Boone used him most often during this 10-day, 10-game trip and he responded by striking out nine across five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and walking none. 

And then David Bednar worked around a walk in the ninth to send the game to extras, where Camilo Doval left the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th to close it out. 

“Hopefully continue to stack days,” Boone said. “They all were really good today. Timmy doing his thing, going back out and getting the lead runner, Cruz doing just enough to pass it off, and Weave getting it done again today. Devin was lights-out again and so was Bed. It got a little interesting there in the [10th], but I thought Camilo threw the ball well. 

“They’re all capable of that right there. It’s good to see them piling some good outings together.” 

In the four-game series against the Orioles, the Yankees bullpen combined to give up just one run across 11 ¹/₃ innings. 

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José Caballero looked to be in pain after striking out in the fifth inning, hunching over and then going right down the stairs toward the clubhouse.

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But he reemerged to play shortstop in the bottom of the frame and stayed in the rest of the game while adding a bunt single and a double. 

“He’s just been dealing with a finger that acts up on him, really for the last couple months,” Boone said. “So every now and then on a swing it bugs him.” 

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Coming out of Monday’s off-day, the Yankees are set to start Luis Gil on Tuesday against the White Sox and Max Fried on Wednesday.

They are leaving Thursday as TBD for now. It would be Will Warren’s turn, but the Yankees could also bring back Carlos Rodón on normal rest, which would then give him an extra day heading into a likely Game 2 start in the wild-card series.