Yankees general manager Brian Cashman pleaded for his team saying “Don’t give up on us” on Wednesday and a few hours later, the Yankees fought back to win after falling down early and late. The Yankees beat the Cleveland 4-3 in 10 innings in front of 36,060 fans at Yankee Stadium. This was the first series victory for the Yankees in two weeks.
However, there was a cost to this victory. The Yankees almost lost Harrison Bader and Oswald Peraza when they were both pulled out of the game with injuries. Harrison Bader collided with Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who was playing left field. Then, in the bottom of the inning, as the Yankees tried to get back into the game and tie it, Peraza hurt his ankle.
Harrison Bader’s return from injury didn’t last long
The Yankees beat the Guardians 4-3 on Wednesday night in The Bronx, and Bader left the game in the ninth inning. After spending time on the injured list with a tight oblique, this was just his second game of the year after a return on Tuesday.
Bader, who was playing center field, was diving to make a catch on a ball that had been hit by Oscar Gonzalez of Cleveland to shallow left-center field. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who seemed to be arriving from left field, crossed paths with him. Both players missed the ball, which led to a run-scoring and gave the Guardians a 3-2 lead.
While the shocked crowd watched, he spoke at length with Boone and a trainer before leaving the field. Boone expressed confidence that Bader would be alright. The Yankees center fielder seemed happy as he had a checkup of his head and neck.
Kiner-Falefa, who was making his first career in left field on Wednesday, also claimed that Bader had struck him in the side. In an effort to save the game, both outfielders were charging in at full speed. No one could have said “stop” to another because of the lack of time.
“I’d rather have that kind of effort rather than jogging and letting it drop,” Kiner-Falefa said. “He just hit my side. For him it was headfirst. Hopefully, he’s OK.”
Peraza’s ankle injury trouble for the Yankees
The Yankees managed to level the score at three runs in the ninth inning and eventually took the game into extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th inning, they secured a victory through a walk-off single by Jose Trevino.
Before the Yankees were able to tie the game, their troubles only grew worse. Peraza was distressed as he crashed into second. While attempting a steal of second base, Peraza hurt his leg and had to leave the game.
During the inning in which Anthony Rizzo led off with a single, Peraza was brought in as a pinch-runner. While attempting to steal, Peraza stumbled and his legs gave way multiple times, causing him to hyperextend his right leg. Instead of sliding, he lunged towards the bag in a close play.
According to Boone, the infielder twisted his ankle during the play. This happened within the first few steps he made after starting to run. X-rays were performed on Peraza after the game.
When Peraza left the field due to his injury, Aaron Hicks, who was the only remaining non-catcher player available on the Yankees’ bench at that time, was sent out from the first-base dugout to replace him at second base. However, the remaining fans at Yankee Stadium, who were soaked due to the rain, expressed their discontent by booing loudly.
Boone made another miscalculation
They had been shouting “Fire Boone” and “Boone Sucks” for a time before, still upset that Holmes was brought in when Ron Marinaccio was at the wheel with just one exit available. It was eerily similar to the night before when Boone removed starter Domingo Germán in the ninth inning and replaced him with Holmes, who promptly gave up a two-run lead and lost the game.
Boone explained his choice by bringing in Holmes, stating that the pitcher who had previously been on the mound, Marinaccio, had already faced five batters. Boone also pointed out that Holmes was not entirely at fault for the loss, as the hit that resulted in the winning run was a weak hit that landed in a difficult area of the center field. The single that scored Myles Straw from second had an exit velocity of 71.2 mph, making it a blooper that landed in the perfect spot. Earlier, Straw had doubled on a sinking line drive, which Kiner-Falefa lost in the lights.
“That’s baseball sometimes,” Boone said. “Obviously we’ve got to get him to where he’s the Clay we know, but he’s a lot closer to that I think than the noise.”
The list of injured players, which now stands at 12, might grow to include Bader and Peraza. Bader was only out for the first month of the season due to an oblique injury, from which he eventually returned.
Nestor Cortes‘ scheduled start this weekend against the Rays has been postponed until Monday’s game against the Athletics at Yankee Stadium due to strep throat. Since he was sick, the Yankees didn’t want him to pitch on Friday. Instead, they gave him a few extra days off.
A rehab stint with Low-A Tampa was scheduled to begin for Luis Severino on Wednesday. The Yankees’ spring training facility is in Tampa, so on Friday, he will throw a live session.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
