Yankees RHP Domingo German threw six strong innings, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning in Sunday's 15-3 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards.
"The key today was to mix my pitches and be unpredictable out there, try to use my changeup in a way that they weren't expecting it," German said, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. "That's something I worked on in between starts. It worked out very well for me today."
German (2-0) gave up two runs and two hits with six strikeouts in six-plus innings, throwing 60 of 89 pitches for strikes. He retired the first 13 hitters he faced before giving up a one-out walk to Rio Ruiz in the fifth inning. His no-hit bid ended when Hanser Alberto singled with one out in the sixth.
"I knew that was happening, but I was focused on every pitch, every at-bat," German said about his no-hit bid.
German left the game in the bottom of the seventh after surrendering an infield single and a walk, as Stephen Tarpley allowed both inherited runners to score on a passed ball and wild pitch. But despite that, catcher Austin Romine said he thought German had all his pitches working effectively.
"They didn't know what was coming most of the time because he was throwing everything," Romine said. "He had a heavy sinker that was working to keep them honest. He could throw his curveball at any time. His changeup, he really leaned on [it] through the middle innings. It was impressive."
With injuries to Luis Severino and CC Sabathia impacting the Yankees' rotation early on, German has stepped up. He is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA through two starts this season with 10 strikeouts, three runs (two earned), three hits and seven walks in 11 innings.
Once they return, of course, German may be on the outside looking in with James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka and J.A. Happ taking the other three spots and Jonathan Loaisiga also in the mix. But manager Aaron Boone said German's performance early on this season has instilled confidence.
"I don't know if you are ever comfortable when Severino and CC go out, but that doesn't change the fact that we know Domingo is capable of a lot," Boone said. "We expect a lot of him. So far, his first two starts, he's delivered. If he's commanding the ball, he can match up with anyone."