Judge's single sends Yankees past A's for 12th straight win

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The surging New York Yankees keep coming up with timely hits, defensive gems or key pitches to pull off close wins — and now they have their best unbeaten run in nearly 60 years because of all those little things.

Aaron Judge hit a tiebreaking single with two outs in the ninth inning, Giancarlo Stanton homered for the third consecutive game and the Yankees beat the Oakland Athletics 7-6 on Thursday night for their 12th straight victory.

“We’re playing well, we’re playing for a lot, and it’s a lot of fun to be part of this team,” said manager Aaron Boone, who watched from inside for most of this one after his second-inning ejection.

Aroldis Chapman closed it out for his 300th career save, becoming the 31st pitcher to reach the milestone. Jonathan Loaisiga (9-4) struck out two over two innings for the win.

“To be honest, I never thought about it," Chapman said via translator. "At the beginning I wasn't even a closer, but as you go on with your career there are certain goals that come and you get to reach. I'm very happy.”

Joey Gallo crushed a three-run drive in the third for a 6-0 lead before Oakland came back, tying it on Josh Harrison’s homer in the fifth.

Judge doubled leading off the eighth as New York loaded the bases against Sergio Romo, who escaped unscathed. Lou Trivino (5-7) began the ninth hours after manager Bob Melvin said he would remain the closer despite consecutive blown saves after converting 14 straight.

“After what we've been going through, to be down 6-0 and come storming back like that with that kind of fight, at this point in time we're looking for some small victories,” Melvin said.

Anthony Rizzo drew a two-out walk from Trivino, and Tyler Wade entered as a pinch-runner. He stole second and reached third on catcher Sean...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Judge-s-single-sends-Yankees-past-A-s-for-12th-16415526.php