SPECIAL: 13 Singles Secure Doubleheader Revenge
Revenge is a dish best served cold, and in the second game of yesterday’s doubleheader against Boston, the Yankees finally poured it on at the plate.
But the offense arrived in an unusual form for the Bronx Bombers, who are used to extra-base hits, especially dingers. In fact, over 45% of the Yankees’ offense this season has come via the home run.
The Yankees lead the American League with 184 home runs, but have the second-fewest hits (1,033) and second-lowest batting average (.230). It’s a very Yankees-esque formula, so without Aaron Judge’s monstrous power numbers, the team has floated just above .500.
But last night was different. Last night, for the first time since 1956, all 13 of the Yankees’ hits were singles (Sharp). They went 6-for-13 with runners in scoring position, leading to a much-needed 9-2 victory, tying the season series against the Red Sox.
Now, if a tiebreaker becomes necessary, today’s game will determine which team gets home-team advantage in a best-of-three Wild Card series.
Max Fried got the start for the Yankees yesterday, his first since returning to the injured list on August 17. His velocities were slightly down, and he was, understandably, limited to 63 pitches. But he was effective, lasting 3 2/3 one-run frames.
“It’s not something that I’m too worried about,” Fried said of his reduced velocities. “I feel like I was still able to make some good pitches, keep them off-balance, and I was feeling good.”
The Yankees used six relievers behind Fried, despite designating Justin Topa for assignment after the afternoon game. Each reliever held Boston scoreless, except Brent Headrick. The lefty, who owns a 1.97 ERA this season but a 5.68 mark in his last seven games, allowed a double and run-scoring triple in the eighth inning.
But the Yankees were already ahead because of a three-run third inning, highlighted by a game-tying single by Ben Rice that Wilyer Abreu couldn’t scoop in right field. The Yankees scored three runs in the third, and Fried’s evening ended in the top of the fourth.
Yerry De los Santos, becoming the first Yankees pitcher since 2021 to appear in both halves of a doubleheader, stranded Fried’s runner in the fourth and left Ceddanne Rafaela on for Michael Fulmer in the fifth. Fulmer retired Rafaela on one pitch, but to start the sixth, he hit Abreu and walked Willson Contreras.
Then, Paul Blackburn saved the day by striking out Caleb Durbin and Andruw Monasterio, and getting Nick Sogard to fly out. In 32 games since June 21, Blackburn has pitched to a remarkable 0.61 ERA. With his performance yesterday, he picked up his seventh win this season.
“That’s been him,” manager Aaron Boone said of Blackburn. “In a lot of ways, that’s the game in the balance right there. Heart of the order coming up, two guys on, nobody out. We’ve got to shut it down right there.”
After Blackburn maintained the Yankees’ lead, his teammates added on in the sixth inning. Luis García Jr., who recorded a team-high three hits, singled, and Amed Rosario followed with a 108-mph single. After both players advanced on a double-steal, Spencer Jones lifted a sacrifice fly to score García and make it 4-1.
In his last seven games, García is 11-for-25 (.440) with eight RBI and three home runs. In his last 15 games, he is batting .352. Since the Yankees acquired him at the trade deadline, he has embraced the pinstripes, showing the lights are never too bright.
“We have a clear objective,” García said through interpreter Marlon Abreu. “Every victory is going to be very important for us. We’re very excited about it.”
Leading 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth, Cody Bellinger and García singled, and two batters later, Rosario drilled a run-scoring single off the right-field wall. Then, Jones singled, and Austin Wells extended the lead to 7-2 with a pop-up into no-man’s land in left field.
Behind him, José Caballero loaded the bases with another single, and two batters later, Rice rolled a ground ball up the middle, scoring two more. He finished the game with three RBI.
Seven of the 10 batters who visited the plate in the eighth notched singles, including two of the first three and six of the first seven.
“There were a lot of contributions, up and down,” Boone said. “It was a good night for us to salvage one of these two [games] today. We have an opportunity to have a really good series.”
The only negative after last night’s game was George Lombard Jr.’s knee injury, which he seemed to sustain on a checked swing in his first at-bat. He stayed in the game and laced a base hit, but he exited after his next at-bat in the third inning.
Fortunately, Lombard received an MRI last night, and his injury seems minor. The Yankees think he will be day-to-day. He has slight inflammation, but he will not play today.
ALSO: The Yankees recalled RHP Luis Gil today to fill a bullpen role. The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year is back.
Today at 1:35 PM (12:35 PM CDT), the Yankees will try to win the series against Boston, clinching home-field advantage in a potential postseason matchup in case of a tiebreak, and extending their lead in the standings to 4.0 games (YES, Gotham Sports).
RHP Will Warren (8-6, 4.39 ERA) will start for the Yankees against a Red Sox team that called up Roman Anthony and Trevor Story from Triple-A this morning. Both players had served time on the 60-day injured list, and they haven’t appeared in a game together since May 4.
LHP Ranger Suarez (5-3, 3.35 ERA) will get the start for Boston.
Here is today’s starting lineup for the New York Yankees:
1B Paul Goldschmidt (L)
LF Cody Bellinger (L)
RF Heliot Ramos (R)
DH Luis García Jr. (L)
3B Amed Rosario (R)
CF Trent Grisham (L)
SS José Caballero (R)
2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L)
C Ali Sánchez (R)
SP: RHP Will Warren (8-6, 4.39 ERA)
Yankees Transactions:
8/30: NYY optioned RHP Brendan Beck (“27th Man”) to AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
8/30: NYY optioned RHP Yerry De los Santos to AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
8/30: NYY recalled RHP Luis Gil from AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
Cover Image Courtesy: New York Yankees
