This outing probably didn’t seal J.A. Happ as the Yankees’ starter in the wild-card game. But it couldn’t have ruined his chances, either.
Even without his best stuff, lacking the precise command he has exhibited since joining the Yankees in late July, the veteran left-hander did what the best pitchers do: He kept his team in the game, battling adversity and refusing to give in.
When he departed after five innings, having allowed one run on five hits, the shorthanded bullpen blew the sweep, as the Yankees fell to the Orioles 6-3. But Happ left on the right side of a 3-1 game after throwing 107 pitches and striking out seven.