ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Luis Gil was the Yankees’ solution to a problem, but he is quickly becoming a problem for the rest of the league.
Gerrit Cole’s replacement in the rotation continued to shine on Sunday, throwing six shutout innings on the way to the Yankees’ 10-6 win over the Rays at Tropicana Field.
After allowing five runs in five innings against the Brewers on April 26, Gil has now given up just one run over his last 18 ¹/₃ innings.
On Sunday, he became the first Yankee to throw at least six innings and allow one run or fewer in at least three straight starts since Cole in 2022.
“Hitters tell you a lot, and they’re overwhelmed a lot by his stuff,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Even when they get a good swing off, they’re not quite able usually to clip it. That’s a testament to, whether it’s deception, velocity, spin, whatever it may be, hitters tell you that thing’s getting on you.”
Gil did not have his sharpest command early, walking a pair of batters through the first two innings and then taking a comebacker off the shin in the third inning.
But he eventually settled in and cruised, retiring 13 of the final 15 batters he faced, allowing only three hits all day.
While Gil’s three strikeouts were the fewest of any start this season, they were impressive nonetheless — two on 98 mph fastballs and one on a 93.6 mph changeup to Randy Arozarena.
“First of all, I gotta thank God for allowing me to be here and keeping me healthy,” Gil said after lowering his ERA to 2.51. “Second of all, to the organization for giving me this opportunity to be here. Now it’s [about] keeping the focus and keep working.”
DJ LeMahieu (non-displaced foot fracture) ran the bases and took ground balls at third base and second base before Sunday’s game.
He will stay back in Tampa to face live pitching at the Yankees’ player development complex on Tuesday and could begin a rehab assignment soon after that.