NEW YORK — The New York Yankees are expected to aim for a top-line reliever or two before the trade deadline, which is less than two weeks away. But they might be creating a solution in their own bullpen.Paul Blackburn continued his emergence as a trusted crunch-time arm with two scoreless innings — while throwing the two fastest pitches of his career — in the Yankees’ 2-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 2 of their split doubleheader Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.The Yankees lost 5-3 in Game 1. They also beat Pittsburgh on Monday, which solidified their series win. They’re off Thursday and will start a three-game set at the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.Blackburn has become the Yankees’ “good secret,” manager Aaron Boone said.“And about a week ago or 10 days ago, someone asked me about the job he’s done,” Boone said. “It had been about a month-plus of some really good work, whether it be a high-leverage situation (or) whether it be giving us multiple innings on a given night.”Blackburn said there’s no secret to his success.“Honestly,” he said, “I don’t know. I’m just trying to do my job every day. Put up a zero when my name’s called and win a game.”
Blackburn slingin’ in the dead of night 😤 pic.twitter.com/q73kwY1VWM
