'Straight up nasty' Betances wowing Yankees in closer role

This winter, in the midst of an ugly arbitration battle with Dellin Betances, New York Yankees president Randy Levine infamously noted that the three-time All-Star is "not a closer" in an effort to discredit the right-hander's salary request.

Levine was wrong, it turns out.

On Saturday, Betances recorded the final five outs of his club's 3-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics in the Bronx en route to his fifth save in as many tries since inheriting the ninth-inning role May 14 when incumbent closer Aroldis Chapman landed on the disabled list. His ERA over that span is 0.00.

"It's crazy how good Dellin is throwing the ball," Yankees designated hitter Matt Holliday told Gary Phillips of the Sporting News. "It's pretty much over when he comes in. It's awfully nice to have someone like him who can step in and fill the closer role."

Betances, who boasts a 0.52 ERA over 19 appearances this season, has been so nasty of late - he's allowed one hit and struck out 10 in his last five innings - some of his teammates are starting to sympathize with opposing hitters.

"It's almost not even fair for the hitters sometimes because of how big he is, how hard he throws, how much the ball moves - he makes pitching look so much easier when he does it," said Adam Warren. "It's a lot of fun and a lot of silly swings and making good hitters look bad.

"He's just straight up nasty."

Be that as it may, though, a humble Betances reaffirmed following Saturday's save that he's merely doing his best to replace Chapman, who has yet to throw off a mound since straining his rotator cuff two weeks ago.

"I'm filling in for Chapman. I'm trying to do the best I can until he gets back," Betances said. "We don't want him to feel like he has to rush to come back, so I'm just trying to do what I can."