The Yankees faced the A’s and pulled ahead late, setting up Aroldis Chapman for the save in the ninth. Chapman showed off his usual fastball, clocking 98 mph with precision. Then he mixed in a tight slider and his newer splitter, which fooled the first batter completely with its late movement. He struck him out after showing all three pitches in one at-bat. Things got tense in the next matchup when Chapman missed with a few sliders, then threw a fastball that was called a ball. Catcher Gary Sánchez and manager Aaron Boone disagreed with the call. Boone erupted, arguing with the ump about the zone, pointing out inconsistent strike calls from earlier in the game. The umpire ejected Boone, who tossed his gum onto the field in frustration.
Boone’s frustration stemmed from a similar pitch being called a strike when the Yankees were batting, but not when they were pitching. Video overlays showed Chapman’s pitch was even more in the zone than the one called against the Yankees earlier, strengthening Boone’s case. Despite the chaos, Chapman regained focus. He gave up one run but closed it out with a 103 mph fastball for the final strikeout, adding a signature stare that made his presence known.