In a disappointing turn of events for the Yankees, a defensive lapse in the third inning paved the way for the Mets to secure a 5-4 victory, leaving the Bombers unable to bridge the gap.
Despite Anthony Volpe showcasing both his plate discipline and defensive prowess, and top prospect Spencer Jones’s impressive hitting, the Yankees couldn’t stage a complete comeback.
Yankees fall short to Mets 5-4 due to early defensive mishap
The leadoff spot remains a topic of discussion early in the season, with Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman leaning towards DJ LeMahieu. Nonetheless, Anthony Volpe bolstered his case by drawing a leadoff walk, showcasing his speed by stealing second base, and advancing to third due to a misplay by Francisco Lindor. However, the Yankees failed to capitalize as subsequent batters struck out and grounded out, leaving Volpe stranded.
Pitcher Tanner Tully showed promise initially, with notable strikeouts in the first inning. Despite encountering challenges in the second inning, including a close call with Oswald Peraza getting hit, Tully managed to escape without yielding runs, aided by Volpe’s stellar defensive play.
The tide turned when Yerry De Los Santos entered the game from the bullpen, facing immediate trouble. A sequence of hits allowed the Mets to capitalize, with De Los Santos eventually being replaced by Harrison Cohen after a flurry of runs. However, Cohen’s entrance didn’t halt the Mets’ momentum, as they extended their lead amidst defensive miscues.
The game saw moments of offensive resurgence for the Yankees, particularly against reliever Phil Bickford, with key hits reducing the deficit. Notably, Spencer Jones’s impactful performance included a crucial double in the eighth inning, bringing the Yankees within striking distance.
Despite a late-game surge, highlighted by Jones’s near game-tying hit in the ninth, the Mets held on to secure the victory.
The game underscored the Yankees’ defensive challenges and highlighted individual performances, including Volpe’s defensive excellence and Jones’s offensive contributions.
Looking ahead, Carlos Rodón is slated to make his second Grapefruit League start against the Rays, with anticipation building for the upcoming matchup.
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Anthony Volpe did the same thing last Spring, but failed miserably when given his shot. I still him better off replacing Torres in the lineup when Torres leaves, since they’re not moving him to 3B.
As for Jones, the same questions that surrounded Dominguez because of his Spring last year, we have to ask here with Jones: How much time does he need at AA before being out in AAA? I’m OK with parking him in AAA all year, but I know Cashman & the development group won’t do it because of the vets, like Oscar Gonzalez, they brought in. So therefore, what does Jones really have to do to get promoted no later than the ASB/MiLB break?