Aaron Boone is pushing the right bullpen buttons at the right time for the Yankees

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Aaron Boone put the puzzle together just right.

Four relief pitchers combined for the final 13 outs on Wednesday, keeping the score tied until Giancarlo Stanton's home run gave the Yankees a 3-2 victory over the Royals in Game 3 of the ALDS bestowed.

A good defense didn't hurt either.

Of the 13 outs the bullpen recorded, only one came via strikeout – a testament both to what makes the Royals such a tough opponent and to the surprisingly effective defense the Yankees have played despite guys being all over the place the diamond were not in position.

The Yankees had the sixth-best bullpen ERA (3.62) during the regular season despite a cycle of moving parts, but an argument could be made that the group has never been stronger than it is now.

Neither reliever acquired at the trade deadline is on the ALDS list as others have gotten healthy.

Luke Weaver, who has become a near-automatic since taking over in September, retired the final five batters and pitched a disappointing ninth inning.

The Royals' last hope of causing trouble was pinch-hitter Tommy Pham, who went down on the first pitch of the final at-bat.

Weaver has saved both of the Yankees' wins – two one-run games – in this series, and with two off days in between, he should be fresh if there's a chance to close out the series on Thursday.

Demoted closer Clay Holmes — who played a key role in the playoffs clearing up middle-inning messes, similar to David Robertson of years past — perhaps had the biggest advantage while pinning runners on the corners after the Royals were in the had scored two goals in the fifth inning.

He caused Vinnie Pasquantino to fly out to center on his second straight descent at 97 mph.

Holmes stayed in and went 1-2-3 in the sixth inning with the score still 2-2.

Tommy Kahnle (1-0) was just as good, retiring all four batters he faced.

He was trusted to face (and hit) Michael Massey at the top of the lineup to start the eighth, but Boone wanted his best reliever to face the Royals' best hitter.

Weaver was greeted by Bobby Witt Jr. with a single through the left side.

This is where the defensive highlight came into play.

Shortstop Anthony Volpe made a diving catch behind second base, robbing Pasquantino of a hit that likely would have put runners on first and third with one out.

Runners at least got to the corners with two outs, but Weaver edged Yuli Gurriel with a fly ball to center field.