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Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) hugs catcher Martin Maldonado (15) after striking out New York Yankees pinch hitter Matt Carpenter to end a MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston. Astros beat the Yankees 2-1.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) reacts after striking out New York Yankees pinch hitter Matt Carpenter to end a MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston. Astros beat the Yankees 2-1.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) reacts after striking out New York Yankees pinch hitter Matt Carpenter to end a MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston. Astros beat the Yankees 2-1.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) reacts after striking out New York Yankees pinch hitter Matt Carpenter to end a MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston. Astros beat the Yankees 2-1.
Houston Astros designated hitter J.J. Matijevic (13) reacts after striking out against New York Yankees relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio during the seventh inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) reacts after striking out New York Yankees pinch hitter Matt Carpenter to end a MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston. Astros beat the Yankees 2-1.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) reacts after striking out New York Yankees DJ LeMahieu during the seventh inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Jake Meyers (6) reacts after striking out against New York Yankees relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio during the seventh inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Rafael Montero (47) reacts after striking out New York Yankees Josh Donaldson during the eighth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros shortstop Mauricio Dubon (14) makes the throw to first base as New York Yankees Aaron Judge ground out during the eighth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) chaos New York Yankees Giancarlo Stanton's single during the eighth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Rafael Montero (47) reacts after striking out New York Yankees Josh Donaldson during the eighth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) gets a pat on the head from catcher Martin Maldonado (15) as manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) walks out to pull him after he gave up a home run to New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees Aaron Judge (99) strikes out against Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) reacts after getting pulled by manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) after he gave up a home run to New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryne Stanek (45) reacts after New York Yankees Jose Trevino ground out to end the top of the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Alex Bregman (2) reacts after flying out sharply to New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) reacts after striking out New York Yankees DJ LeMahieu during the seventh inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Alex Bregman (2) reacts after flying out sharply to New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Astros Kyle Tucker is tagged out by New York Yankees catcher Jose Trevino (39) as he tried to steal home during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Alex Bregman (2) hits an RBI double off of New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees fans cheer after New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo's home run against Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) makes the throw to first base as Houston Astros Mauricio Dubon ground out to him during the fourth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) gets pulled by manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) after he gave up a home run to New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) reacts after giving up a home run to New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo (48) during the sixth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) takes his pitch com out of his hat to hear the call as Houston Astros Kyle Tucker tried to steal home during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Kyle Tucker (30) flies out to New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) wipes his face after striking out New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo to end the top of the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez in the dugout during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Jeremy Pena in the dugout during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros center fielder Jake Meyers (6) catches New York Yankees Aaron Judge's fly out during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) walks back to the dugout after striking out New York Yankees Anthony Rizzo to end the top of the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Jake Meyers (6) points back to the dugout after hitting a double off New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) reacts after walking Houston Astros Kyle Tucker (30) to load the bases during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Alex Bregman (2) reacts after his RBI double off of New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino during the third inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Wladimir Sutil, who serves as the Triple A Sugar Land's development coach, coached first base, after a long career in the minors, today is his first game in the majors, brings out the lineup to New York Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza (64) before the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Wladimir Sutil, who serves as the Triple A Sugar Land's development coach, greets New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (48) after a long career in the minors, today is his first game in the majors, as he coached first base during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) pitches to New York Yankees DJ LeMahieu (26) during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Wladimir Sutil, who serves as the Triple A Sugar Land's development coach, runs out to first base, after a long career in the minors, today is his first game in the majors, as he coached first base during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) pitches to Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) pitches to Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia (77) pitches to New York Yankees DJ LeMahieu (26) during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Hall of Fame Craig Biggio throws out the first pitch before the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Jeremy Pena in the dugout during the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
New York Yankees Marwin Gonzalez chats with Houston Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron (37) during batting practice before the start of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros Wladimir Sutil, who serves as the Triple A Sugar Land's development coach, in the dugout to coach first base, after a long career in the minors, today is his first game in the majors before the first inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) reacts after striking out New York Yankees Jose Trevino (39) during the ninth inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Houston.
The burden of pitching on back-to-back days has haunted Ryan Pressly, the Astros’ reliable closer with one calamitous hiccup in this otherwise excellent season.
The setback happened seven days ago beneath a boisterous Bronx crowd in the sort of situation he is paid to preserve. Houston held a three-run advantage against the New York Yankees during the first installment of this frenzied five-game slate between them. Pressly entered for the ninth inning after appearing a day earlier.
Pressly allowed all five batters he faced to reach. His failing triggered a walkoff loss that threatened to derail the Astros with four games still to play. The Astros took this Yankees-filled week as a chance to craft a statement, even if few in the clubhouse felt it necessary to say.
Consider it written. Pressly rectified his blemish by striking out two during Thursday’s ninth inning. He pitched for the second day in a row and protected a one-run lead. Pressly’s punchout of pinch-hitter Matt Carpenter sent Houston to a 2-1 win and concluded a five-game clinic of pitching against baseball’s best lineup.
Astros insider: Takeaways from the 'New York 9'
“If you would have told me that, in five games, we had a chance to win four out of five, I would have told you yes,” catcher Martín Maldonado said. “That’s how much I believe in this team. That’s how much I believe in this pitching staff. We did a really good job executing pitches. Playing the Yankees, there was a little more laser focus from everybody — including position players.”
Houston finished 7-2 during a nine-game gauntlet against the Mets and Yankees. The Yankees did not take an at-bat with the lead in five games against the Astros. The Astros’ two losses were walkoff heartbreakers, one the consequence of a bullpen implosion and the other a result of too many missed chances to add on.
Thursday featured neither flaw. Four relievers teamed to handle New York’s homer-happy lineup after a wonderful start by Luis Garcia. Houston had only four at-bats with runners in scoring position. Alex Bregman banged a two-run double off the left-field wall during one of them, supplying his humming pitching staff ample support.
“I think they’re pitching with a lot of confidence right now,” Bregman said. “They’ve earned that. The guys are doing a great job of attacking and throwing a lot of strikes, expanding when we need to. For the most part, they’re just out there attacking the strike zone.”
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Houston’s starting pitchers finished their five games against the Yankees with a 1.67 ERA. The five men yielded six earned runs in 32 ⅓ frames. Cristian Javier held New York hitless for seven innings en route to a combined no-hitter. José Urquidy carried another into the seventh one day later.
“They got some dudes that can swing it really well over there. That’s a well-prepared team,” Pressly said. “This pitching staff, this series and this whole time (against) New York has been unbelievable. It’s all hands on deck and everyone goes out there and believes in the quality of their pitches. It’s been fun to watch, really.”
Garcia had not thrown more than 95 pitches all season. He threw Thursday on seven days of rest after the Astros adjusted their rotation during the New York road trip. Part of the rationale revolved around Justin Verlander’s wishes to pitch on four days’ rest.
The other involved deception. Garcia already faced the Mets once. Verlander had not. The Astros did not want any of their starters to see the same New York team twice during this nine-game gauntlet.
The Yankees’ first look at Garcia lasted 5 ⅓ innings. The righthander lacked any command, derailing any hopes he had for a deep outing. He still managed to strike out six and surrender only a solo home run to Anthony Rizzo.
Garcia needed 61 pitches to procure his first nine outs, a plodding span during which he fell behind hitters far too often and failed to locate much of his four-pitch arsenal. He had enough feel for his cutter to keep New York’s righthanded heavy lineup off balance. The pitch darts down and away from righthanded batters and has become one of the hardest offerings to hit on Houston’s entire staff.
Garcia generated 20 swings on the 41 cutters he threw. Only five ended in whiffs: indicative of both his inconsistent stuff and the Yankees’ ability to not expand the strike zone. His changeup and curveball emerged as key putaway pitches, allowing him to dodge early danger.
A one-out walk to Joey Gallo and a single by DJ LeMahieu put Garcia in peril during the third. Rizzo worked a wonderful eight-pitch at-bat before waving over a wicked, two-strike curveball, settling into a duel with Yankees starter Luis Severino.
Severino never settled into any form of rhythm. The velocity on all four of his pitches fell a tick under his season average. Houston hammered some mistakes early in the game without anything to show for it.
The lineup averaged a 94.8 mph exit velocity on the 16 balls it struck in play. Houston had six outs hit 99.8 mph or harder against him.
According to Statcast, Houston created contact against Severino that carried a .313 expected batting average. The team finished 3-for-20 while he worked: the only statistic that matters.
Severino sat down the final nine batters he saw, offering hope his offense could mount something resembling a rally. Garcia gave him brief hope in the sixth, surrendering a line drive home run to Rizzo on an 0-2 fastball that caught too much of home plate.
Dusty Baker bounded from the dugout to remove his starter. He patted him thrice on the chest before taking the baseball. Ryne Stanek sauntered in from the bullpen. His All-Star candidacy is flying under the national radar. In Houston’s clubhouse, it feels foregone.
Stanek entered on a 22-appearance scoreless streak that spanned 19 ⅓ straight innings. Maintaining it here meant navigating some of the sport’s most established hitters. Giancarlo Stanton loomed and struck an opposite-field single, putting the tying run aboard.
Gleyber Torres worked a walk that advanced him to scoring position, putting Jose Trevino in the batter’s box. Trevino is authoring a wonderful season. He learned Thursday he is one of two finalists to start the All-Star Game, the product of an .886 OPS across his past 35 games.
Stanek spun a slider to start the at-bat. It caught the top of Trevino’s strike zone. He spun another that did not have as much break. Trevino struck it hard — but straight to second base. Jose Altuve gathered the grounder. Stanek tracked his transition and throw, awaiting the time to celebrate. It arrived a second later.
Chandler Rome joined the Houston Chronicle in 2018 to cover the Astros after spending one year in Tuscaloosa covering Alabama football - during which Nick Saban asked if he attended college. He did, at LSU, where he covered the Tigers baseball team for nearly four years. He covered most of the Astros' 2015 playoff run, too, as an intern for MLB.com