Corey Kluber’s trust in his changeup has been steadily increasing, and the right-hander utilized that pitch to a masterful effect on Sunday, pitching eight dominant innings for his 100th career win in the Yankees’ 2-0 victory over the Tigers at Yankee Stadium.
Kyle Higashioka and Brett Gardner drove in runs to support Kluber’s effort as the Yankees completed a three-game sweep of Detroit, improving to 14-14 — their first time touching the .500 mark since April 12, when they were 5-5.
Kluber’s changeup usage has ticked up of late, and adding that pitch to his cutter, curveball and sinker mix mystified the free-swinging Tigers, who swung and missed at the changeup 13 times. The 35-year-old Kluber scattered two hits and struck out 10 with a walk, picking up his second win as a Yankee.
It was Kluber’s 47th 10-strikeout game, and his first since Sept. 24, 2018. Detroit starter José Ureña landed on the wrong side of a pitchers’ duel, saddled with the loss despite limiting New York to two runs over seven sharp innings.
Higashioka laced a run-scoring double that touched the left-field chalk line and Gardner lifted a sacrifice fly in the second inning, accounting for the production against Ureña, who retired the final 17 batters he faced.
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Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].