Luis Gil faced a tough challenge when he took the mound against the Dodgers, but he didn’t shy away from the spotlight. Although he wasn’t at his best, Gil’s performance in the Yankees’ 6-4 win stood out to his teammates and coach Aaron Boone. Despite allowing three runs on five hits in 5 ²/₃ innings, Gil managed to limit the Dodgers’ top four hitters to just one hit. Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith combined to go 1-for-11 against him.
Facing one of the best teams in the league, Gil showed up and attacked the Dodgers’ lineup. His ability to handle their top hitters impressed Aaron Judge, who praised Gil’s performance. “That’s who you want on the mound in a situation like that,” Judge said.
Gil had been on a hot streak in his previous seven starts, giving up only three earned runs and 15 hits in 44 ²/₃ innings. In Sunday’s game, he continued his dominant run by allowing just one hit in his first four innings. However, in the fifth inning, he gave up a double and a single that tied the game at 2-2. Boone believed that Gil tired late in the outing, leading to a go-ahead solo homer by Teoscar Hernández in the sixth inning.
Despite these struggles, Gil’s overall numbers remain impressive. With an ERA of 2.04, he has been a consistent force on the mound. Even with the uneven results against the Dodgers, Gil has shown that he thrives in pressure situations. Judge is excited to see more from him, stating that Gil “lives for those moments.”
The Yankees’ victory on Sunday marked their 11th win in Gil’s 13 starts this season. His ability to keep the team in games and give them a chance to win has been invaluable. The Yankees will continue to rely on Gil’s strong performances as they push for a playoff spot.
