“You just want to go out and battle” - Luis Gil embraces challenges, reflects on first win for Yankees amidst frustration

Yankees starter Luis Gil was seemingly frustrated after he was called for a balk, resulting in a run in the top of the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays. Gil wasn't happy with the call, staring at the home plate umpire before manager Aaron Boone came in to talk down the pitcher.

That certainly helped him, as he earned his first major league win in three years as the Yankees eked out a 5-4 victory against the Rays. He threw 5.2 innings, giving up only two hits, no earned runs, three walks and nine strikeouts.

“It feels great to be able to get the win,” Gil said through an interpreter. “Every time you have an opportunity like that, you just want to go out and battle.”

However, Gil was called for two balks, one in third and the other in fourth. Instead of stepping back, he stepped sideways, allowing José Caballero to reach home in the third inning. When Amed Rosario was at first base, Gil repeated his footwork, moving Rosario to second. However, he struck out the next hitter.

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Yankees manager wants Luis Gil to not get emotions ahead of him

After winning the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed the press conference, where he was asked about Luis Gil's performance.

“There’s been a couple of times early in the season here where I feel like things that have gone on in the game have affected Luis a little bit emotionally,” Boone said. “My message to him is, ‘You can process something and take something in, but we’ve got to move on to the next pitch.’”

Interestingly, if not for Gerrit Cole's elbow injury ahead of the start of the season, Luis Gil may still be working his way up in the minors. However, a good spring, coupled with Cole's elbow concern, allowed him to be a member of the Yankees five-man rotation. He is doing a good job so far, solidifying his place in the rotation.

Outfielder Alex Verdugo's tiebreaking two-run single in the fifth inning played a good hand in landing the Yankees' 15th victory of the season. They lead the AL East division, 0.5 games ahead of the second-placed Baltimore Orioles (14-7).