LOS ANGELES — Domingo German’s first 11 pitches Sunday all went for strikes.
It was a good sign of things to come in one of his best starts of the season.
German turned in a strong 6 ²/₃ innings of one-run ball to help the Yankees claim a 4-1 win over the Dodgers in the series rubber match at Chavez Ravine.
“Very satisfying,” German said through an interpreter. “Tonight with the outing, we wanted to be aggressive and execute and command all the pitches facing this lineup. I felt like during the game, we were able to do that. We were able to stay mentally locked into the game. That allowed me to execute pitches.”
German scattered four hits and one walk while striking out six.
The only blemish was his 0-2 curveball to J.D. Martinez with two outs in the seventh inning.
Domingo German pitches during the Yankees’ win over the Dodgers on June 4. USA TODAY Sports
Domingo German delivered one of his best outings of the year in the Yankees’ win over the Dodgers on June 4. Getty ImagesIt caught too much of the plate and Martinez clobbered it for a solo home run that tied the game.
Otherwise, German was getting ahead all night, attacking the strike zone and throwing first-pitch strikes to 20 of 25 batters.
“That’s what command looks like,” manager Aaron Boone said. “That’s big-time command right there and that’s what you gotta have when you go up against a lineup like the Dodgers.
“His changeup and curveball were outstanding, but he did a good job staying unpredictable.”
German was not his sharpest in his first start back from a 10-game suspension for a failed foreign-substance Monday in Seattle, but he looked much more in command Sunday.
“It was a priority to get strike one and expand whenever I needed to,” German said.
Carlos Rodon is set to face live hitters Wednesday for the first time since early April, advancing to the next step in his rehab from a forearm muscle strain and back discomfort. The left-hander will likely need a few live sessions, which will come on a five-day routine, before he is ready to go out on a rehab assignment.
If Rodon continues to progress as planned, he could be looking at a July return to the Yankees rotation.
Ryan Weber (forearm strain) will meet with team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad for a “hands-on” evaluation after undergoing an MRI on Saturday.
Boone was asked whether he spoke to the Dodgers or MLB about the concrete ledge at the bottom of the right-field wall at Dodger Stadium, the one that Aaron Judge hurt his right foot on slamming into it Saturday after making a terrific catch.
“Hopefully that is something that they look into,” Boone said. “I think all these places try to do their best to make things as safe as possible. But to me, it seems like that cement at the bottom could be padded up a little bit.Hopefully it is something they at least look into and consider, which I’m sure they will.”
