BOSTON — Justus Sheffield and Chance Adams were two of the Yankees top pitching prospects before the season and both took the mound in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
But it was a less heralded rookie who pitched in a 10-2 loss to the Red Sox who actually had a chance to appear in the postseason.
Stephen Tarpley tossed another 1 ²/₃ scoreless innings in the meaningless game and remains a possibility to be on the roster for Wednesday’s wild-card game against the A’s in The Bronx.
“It will be a dream, but it’s out of my control,’’ Tarpley said. “I did my job.”
On Sunday, Tarpley showed again how he’s surpassed both Sheffield and Adams during the year.
Aaron Boone reiterated the 25-year-old will get serious consideration to be on the roster at least for the wild-card game and seems like a good bet to make it to the ALDS, if the Yankees advance, given how he was used this weekend.
After retiring the only two batters he faced in Saturday’s victory, when Tarpley got Andrew Benintendi to fly to center and Brock Holt swinging, Tarpley entered Sunday’s game to start the bottom of the fifth.
Ian Kinsler and Sandy Leon both grounded out before Tarpley walked Jackie Bradley Jr. He whiffed Tzu-Wei Lin to end the inning.
Tarpley then fanned Holt and Brandon Phillips to lead off the bottom of the sixth and got Blake Swihart looking, but Kyle Higashioka’s passed ball allowed Swihart to reach and Tarpley followed by walking Mitch Moreland. He was then replaced by A.J. Cole.
In nine games since the left-hander allowed three runs in his MLB debut, Tarpley has tossed eight scoreless innings, giving up just three hits and four walks, with a dozen strikeouts.
“If I fall behind, I get hurt,’’ Tarpley said. “I’m learning to get more consistent. Every day, I’m asking something different. It helps a lot.”
“He can pitch,’’ Boone said. “His first outing was rough, but he has not looked back from that.’’
And of the 18 left-handed hitters Tarpley has faced, he’s retired 14 of them, allowing just a hit and three walks.
“He creates a bit of a problem for lefties, but he’s also shown an ability to get right-handers out,’’ the manager said. “The guy obviously popped on our radar this summer when we really started to take notice within the organization. He’s earned his way up here. I’m excited for him and what he can be for us, not only in the short term, but long term.”
And of the 18 left-handed hitters Tarpley has faced, he’s retired 14 of them, allowing just a hit and three walks.
“He creates a bit of a problem for lefties, but he’s also shown an ability to get right-handers out,’’ the manager said. “The guy obviously popped on our radar this summer when we really started to take notice within the organization. He’s earned his way up here. I’m excited for him and what he can be for us, not only in the short term, but long term.”