Paul Blackburn quietly stepping up for Yankees as role grows

WASHINGTON — On a day when David Bednar and Fernando Cruz were not available, the Yankees turned to Paul Blackburn to close out the first half in style.After they took a one-run lead in the top of the eighth, Blackburn entered from the bullpen for a six-out save and retired all six batters he faced to secure a 5-3 win over the Nationals on Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.

It marked Blackburn’s second career save — the other coming last season with the Mets, when he threw the final four innings of a blowout.This one was more traditional, showing just how far up the pecking order Blackburn has climbed with his strong relief work in the first half.“Awesome,” manager Aaron Boone said.

“Paul’s quietly pitched really well for us for the last 4-6 weeks and is really establishing a nice role down there.He’s getting settled into the bullpen.”Since May 16, Blackburn has pitched to a 1.16 ERA in 20 appearances, striking out 26 and walking six in 31 innings.Along the way, he has started to earn more high-leverage appearances in a bullpen where Boone’s trustworthy options are thin beyond Bednar, Cruz and Brent Headrick.Entering Sunday, both Bednar and Cruz had pitched on back-to-back days — including Bednar throwing two innings Friday — making them unavailable.

Headrick had thrown 50 pitches over the previous three days.“Obviously, down a few guys today, I knew if we could get it to him with a couple innings left, then he goes out and is really efficient,” Boone said.“He’s been really good and throwing the ball really well.”Max Fried (left elbow bone bruise) threw 44 pitches across three simulated innings Saturday and “everything went well,” Boone said.

Assuming he continues to recover well during the All-Star break, he could begin a rehab assignment as early as Friday when the second half begins...