On Sunday, Aceves made his own definitive statement that he deserves the Yankees' fifth starter role when he stifled the Toronto Blue Jays over four shutout innings, notching an extended save, and leading his team to yet another comeback victory. After starter Joba Chamberlain was chased out of the game after only 3.2 innings, Aceves entered the contest in the 6th with a two-run lead and never gave it back.
He surrendered only one hit in four innings of work and showed off his improved strikeout ability, sending five Blue Jays back to the bench with their heads hung in shame while walking not a single man. Displaying precise command over all four of his pitches (fastball, curveball, changeup, and cutter) Aceves varied his speed and location, keeping the Toronto hitters off balance all day, and making it clear that he possesses the repertoire, mentality, and ability to start for the New York Yankees in 2009, solving a problem that has vexed Joe Girardi and the Bombers unrelentingly for the entire season.
To find out what decision Girardi does make, Yankee Nation will have to wait until Thursday — pending an early announcement — when the rotation spot comes up and Girardi will be forced to make a difficult decision that will have a massive impact on a very tight pennant race down the stretch.
Article comments