CLEVELAND — The Yankees traded Mark Leiter Jr. in July with October in mind.
However, the right-hander spent time watching the ALDS, was left off the roster, and started in the same position in the ALCS.
“That's not my choice,” Reiter said after Friday's 8-6 ALCS Game 4 win over Cleveland. “When you have an opportunity, you have to take advantage of it.”
And the right-handed pitcher got his chance Friday, when he was added to the roster in place of injured Ian Hamilton (calf) and made his postseason debut in the bottom of the seventh inning.
“[Aaron Boone] They kept telling me to be ready for whatever happens and I could get used to taking big outs,” Reiter said. “So I was prepared.”
Although he allowed a tying run in the bottom of the 8th inning, he got 5 outs and the Yankees scored 2 runs in the top of the 9th inning to grab the victory.
It wasn't a bad game for the first game since the regular season ended on September 29th.
“We tried to make it as routine as possible,” Reiter said. “It was a noisy warm-up, but I stayed in the right mindset and just pitched. That generally worked out when it mattered.”
Although Reiter had never made the playoffs, his uncle Al was a World Series champion, and Reiter watched his father, Mark Sr., miss the playoffs during his 11-year major league career. .
“I know it doesn't matter what happens because I've seen it all this time,” Reiter said. “We need to be ready for the next play. That's what it felt like.”
Reiter, acquired from the Cubs before the trade deadline, pitched poorly after that and was left off the roster for the ALDS vs. Royals and this ALCS game.
Reiter took over after Clay Holmes had a slump for the second night in a row.
Leiter put up a great effort starting in the bottom of the 7th inning, but gave up the lead in the 8th inning.
The right-handed pitcher allowed a first-inning double to Bo Naylor, who grounded out to third base.
Steven Kwan's flyout put Reiter in position to get out of the inning unscathed, but the pitcher mishandled a late grounder from David Frye, and Anthony Rizzo took the lead on the toss, allowing Frye to reach and Naylor to score. I forgave him. Running tied.
However, the Yankees took the lead in the top of the 9th inning.
Tommy Kahnle pitched a scoreless ninth inning and made the save, ending an eventful night for the Penns and the Yankees.
“It got hairy,” Kahnley said.
In a game with a one-run difference, in the seventh inning with one out and runners on first and second base, Coach Boone called Holmes in, and Reiter relieved Holmes.
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Reiter was one of Thursday's heroes, hitting pinch hitter Johnkensie Noel to deep left and then striking out Andres Jimenez.
General manager Brian Cashman said before the game that the Yankees expected Reiter and his split-finger fastball to be effective pitches against Cleveland's left-handed batting lineup, including the inexperienced Cody Poteet and Creighton. – Said he would choose Writer over other candidates such as Beater.
“He had a bad year, but he wasn't that good.” [after] He came here for us,” Cashman said of Reiter. He pitched 36¹/₃ innings this season as a Cub, posting a 1.101 WHIP, and pitched 21¹/₃ innings with the Yankees, posting a 1.708 WHIP.
“But he certainly has the ability,” Cashman said. “He's got a pretty good arsenal against left-handed hitters. I hope that benefits us. I hope he gives us some quality outs when called upon.” ”
He got off to a good start on Friday.
