Deivi Garcia has been a disaster this season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Clarke Schmidt is still working his way back from a strained elbow suffered during spring training.
But the Yankees are still getting a much-needed boost from a young right-hander this season — even if it’s not the one they expected it to be.
Luis Gil continued his eye-popping start to his major league career on Tuesday, tossing 4 ²/₃ scoreless innings in the Yankees’ 2-0 win over the Red Sox to complete the sweep of the doubleheader in The Bronx.
The 23-year-old Gil has made three starts for the Yankees and has yet to allow a run in 15 ²/₃ innings.
According to Elias, Gil is the only major league pitcher since 1893 — the first season the mound was 60 feet, 6 inches from the plate — to throw at least 4 ²/₃ scoreless innings in each of his first three appearances.
While Tuesday was the shortest of his three outings with the Yankees, it came against the Red Sox — and in a playoff-type atmosphere at the Stadium.
“That’s a big game out there, Red Sox-Yankees, August, playing for a lot,’’ Boone said. “I thought he was unflappable and locked in. When he’s in the strike zone, he’s difficult to hit.”
And as much as his stuff has impressed the Yankees, his mentality has been equally important.
Gil, considered a top prospect who began the year with Double-A Somerset and who had never pitched above High-A ball prior to this season, said through an interpreter he was pitching with “a lot of adrenaline” because of the setting.
“I was excited to face Boston,’’ Gil said. “That’s a really good lineup. You cannot make mistakes.”
He was able to limit the Red Sox to three singles.
“It helps when you have confidence in your ability,’’ Boone said. “And he’s got a lot of ability and a lot of weapons. … If he executes, he’s gonna have the upper hand.”
Luke Voit has noticed it, as well, saying Gil has “swagger.”
“His charisma and confidence is unbelievable,’’ Voit said. “It’s an impressive streak he’s got going.”
Voit provided all the offense Gil and the Yankees needed with his solo homer in the second and Giancarlo Stanton added a leadoff homer in the fourth — and he also liked what he saw.
“He wasn’t giving in in big spots,’’ Stanton said. “He was challenging them. He definitely showed what he’s got out there. It was fun to watch.”
Gil didn’t get out of the fifth because he walked four batters — including Xander Bogaerts with two outs in the fifth to end his night.
Boone would like to see Gil cut down on the walks — and keep his attitude.
“He clearly likes being here,’’ Boone said.
Gil was returned to SWB following the game, since he served as the Yankees’ 27th man for Tuesday’s doubleheader. But there’s little doubt he’ll be back up for his next start, especially with the Yankees still short on starting pitchers.
