Ivan Nova had a good night on Sunday.
Forget that he pitched into the eighth inning in a strong rebound performance after a miserable start against the Orioles. He also managed to stay in one piece.
And in the Yankees’ 3-2 win over the Red Sox, that was practically cause for celebration. He also surrendered just two runs in 7 ¹/₃ innings and despite some close calls from the bullpen, he was able to improve to 2-1.
On top of that, Nova was able to move past an ugly outing in his last appearance, when he lost his sinker and curveball and was knocked around for seven runs in just 3 ²/₃ innings.
“I was down in the zone more,” Nova said of the difference between his disaster against the Orioles and the win over Boston. “Even though I didn’t do what I wanted to do in those two starts, my confidence was up all the time. I knew it was early in the season and I felt really good.”
With his curveball back on Sunday, Nova struck out four and didn’t issue a walk for the second-straight start — a far cry from the five he issued in Houston to begin his season.
The good control was especially important since Nova was already dealing with less than ideal conditions.
With Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts and Mark Teixeira sitting out due to injury, the Yankees infield was not exactly a starting pitcher’s dream. To make matters worse, Francisco Cervelli — himself a novice at first base — hurt his hamstring and was replaced by Carlos Beltran, who had never played the position.
Nova, though, insisted the defensive question marks didn’t affect the way he approached the game.
“I don’t think about who’s behind me,” Nova said. “I’ve just got to make my next pitch.”
More often than not, he was able to do that. And thanks in part to his efficiency as well as the somewhat depleted bullpen, Joe Girardi had Nova go out for the eighth inning to face Xander Bogaerts.
“That showed a lot of confidence in me, to have me in a one-run game in the eighth inning,” Nova said. “I thought I was done for the game and then they wanted me to get one more out.”
Nova got Bogaerts to fly out to right, a positive sign for the right-hander the Yankees are banking on finally putting a full season together.
While Nova had his best stuff of the young season, he was also the beneficiary of some good fortune.
First, he survived Jackie Bradley, Jr.’s sharp comebacker, which caromed off his left foot all the way into short right field for a single. It was about the only close call that didn’t result in an injury.