ARLINGTON, Texas -- The New York Yankees came into Wednesday night's matchup with the Texas Rangers 15 games above .500, the most since concluding the 2012 season 28 games over (95-67). Their lead in the AL East is seven games.
As the Friday trade deadline nears, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said questions about potential acquisitions put him in an awkward position.
“These guys have gotten us to this point,’’ said Girardi, echoing his words from the previous day’s pregame media conference. “I believe in my guys to get the job done.’’
Girardi was asked specifically about the rumored availability of Detroit left-hander David Price.
“He’s been an ace a long time,’’ the manager said. “He takes the ball every fifth day.’’
Girardi noted that Price has already played for a couple of teams.
“A pitcher of that caliber, a lot is expected. It will be interesting to follow. I think he would make a difference wherever he goes.’’
Roster move: The Yankees on Wednesday added 27-year-old right-handed pitcher Caleb Cotham from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated Tuesday’s starter Chris Capuano for assignment.
The 6-3, 215-pound Cotham, a fifth-round Yankees draft choice in 2009, was 5-2 with a 2.17 ERA in the minors this season. In 45 2/3 innings he has allowed 35 hits and 10 walks while striking out 53.
Girardi praised Capuano for his professional demeanor. “He wasn’t getting consistent work. It was a difficult decision. We decided to go in a different direction.’’
Colby Lewis: The Rangers’ 10-game winner will try to cool off the Yankee bats tonight. “We know we are facing a tough pitcher with an outstanding slider that we need to lay off,’’ said Girardi.
Record night: Tuesday’s 21-5 rout of Texas kept record keepers busy.
Notable:
Chris Young tied personal career highs with five RBIs and four runs.
Brett Gardner set a personal record and tied a club record with five runs. Gardner shares the Yankee record with 17 others, the most recent being Johnny Damon in 2006. Gardner reached base a career-high six times.
Didi Gregorius had a career-high four hits. He became the first Yankees No. 8 hitter with four hits since Ichiro Suzuki in 2012.
Brendan Ryan hit two doubles in an inning. Last to do that was the White Sox’s Jose Abreu at Texas in April 2014.
Jacoby Ellsbury became the first to reach base twice on catcher’s interference since David Murphy of the Rangers in 2010. Ellsbury is the first to do it against two different catchers in a game.
The 21-run outburst is the most in the majors since Seattle’s 21-8 win over Texas on in 2012.
The 19 hits are the most for the club since getting 19 in 2013 versus the Angels.
A Yankees pitching record also fell. The bullpen set a club record with 8 1/3 hitless innings. The previous record, accomplished three times, was seven innings. The last MLB team to get at least 8 1/3 hitless innings from its bullpen was Brooklyn in 1953.
Girardi on Wednesday singled out the work of those relievers, Diego Moreno and Adam Warren: “You just don’t see a team score five runs in the first inning and not get another hit.’’
Moreno, who threw 70 pitches, would likely need three days to recover, Girardi said. One day will be required for Warren after 34 pitches.
