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Big win for Big Maple

Ladner’s James Paxton stellar in Yankees game five win
James Paxton
Ladner’s James Paxton pitched six solid innings leading the New York Yankees to a 4-1 win in game five of the American League Championship Series Friday night at Yankee Stadium.

In his biggest start of his career, the Big Maple came up big time.

Ladner’s James Paxton pitched six solid innings leading the New York Yankees to a 4-1 win in game five of the American League Championship Series Friday night at Yankee Stadium.

The win cut the Houston Astros lead in the series to 3-2 with the teams heading back to Houston Saturday night for game six and a potential game seven on Sunday night.

After a bit of a shaky first inning in which Paxton allowed the Astros only run following a single, ground out, passed ball and wild pitch, the lefthander settled in allowing only three more hits while walking four and striking out nine earning his first career post-season win and saving the Yankees season – at least for another day.

“I had good command of the high fastball tonight, so we used that a lot,” Paxton said in his post-game press conference. “It was a lot of nerves, I was fired up and I think I over threw a bit in the first inning.”

Paxton threw a season high 112 pitches in the game.

“I wasn’t ready to go home yet, so I wanted to go out and give my team everything I had and just battle away,” he said. “When you think of the Yankees you think of the postseason. They pride themselves on winning, and that’s what we do here. It’s been a great experience, and I want to keep on going.”