LeMahieu outsmarts 5-infield defense for Yankees clutch walk-off victory

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Despite experiencing the most challenging season of his career, Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu continues to prove his value to the team. For the second time in under a week, he delivered a crucial performance for New York, this time securing a walk-off single in a 4-3 extra-innings victory against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. The game had been delayed for nearly two hours due to rain before the bottom of the eighth inning.

This clutch performance followed LeMahieu’s impressive showing just four days prior, when he drove in a personal-best six runs against the Phillies. His recent form has seen him go 3-for-8 in his last three games, boosting his batting average to .184.

Manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism about LeMahieu’s progress, noting the player’s hard work in making subtle adjustments to his swing. Boone observed improved at-bats and growing confidence, emphasizing LeMahieu’s potential to play a significant role for the team.

“I know he has been working hard making subtle adjustments to his swing. I think he is feeling some good,” the Yankees manager told. “I think the at-bats are getting better. He is moving the needle. Hopefully, he will gain a little confidence. He can play such a big role for us. I’m really excited for him.”

The Yankees had struggled throughout the game, leaving 14 runners on base and failing to capitalize with loaded bases on three occasions. However, they finally broke through against reliever Bowden Francis in the bottom of the 10th. LeMahieu’s one-out single through Toronto’s five-man infield allowed Anthony Volpe to score the winning run. This victory secured the Yankees’ third consecutive series win and maintained their tie with the Orioles for the top spot in the American League East.

LeMahieu expressed excitement about the win, acknowledging the team’s earlier missed opportunities and the satisfaction of finally clinching the game. He also mentioned feeling more comfortable at the plate, crediting recent adjustments to his approach.

“We’re excited. It was a great win. It was one of those games we felt we had some chances, and we just finally put it away. It was a good win for us,” LeMahieu told after the Yankees win. “I was able to work on a few things, and I’m taking some pretty good swings. I’m feeling much better at the plate.”

After LeMahieu, Yankees ace Cole is back

The game also marked a positive return for right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole, who had missed his previous start due to general body fatigue. Cole delivered a solid 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision, reporting improved stamina and pitch selection as the game progressed.

After a strong start in the first inning, the Yankees ace encountered difficulties in the second as the Blue Jays scored twice. Alejandro Kirk’s ground-rule double was followed by Addison Barger’s RBI double to right-center. Ernie Clement then drove in Barger with a two-out single.

Following a consultation with Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake, Cole regained his composure, inducing a fly out from Joey Loperfido to end the inning. Despite allowing a leadoff double to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the third, Cole went on to retire 10 of the next 11 batters before exiting with two outs in the sixth, giving way to Luke Weaver.

“I thought the stuff got better as the game went on,” Cole said. “We were particularly better with our pitch selection. I felt pretty good stamina-wise. I made enough good pitches today.”

Yankees manager Boone commended Cole’s performance, noting his strong fastball and good presence throughout the game. He praised Cole’s use of his curveball to disrupt the Blue Jays’ timing while maintaining an effective fastball. Boone observed that although Cole showed signs of fatigue towards the end, he finished on a high note.

“I felt all day long he had a good fastball, a good profile of it,” he said. “I thought he was able to settle in as he went. … I thought he had a good presence. He did a good job with his curveball, slowing them down a little bit and still using his fastball. It was good to see the life on his fastball. I think he tired a little at the end. He finished real strong.”

The Yankees equalized in the sixth inning when Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Anthony Volpe hit consecutive singles off Zach Pop. After a pitching change and a double steal, Chisholm scored on Trent Grisham’s groundout, while Volpe came home on LeMahieu’s sacrifice fly.

While Aaron Judge was intentionally walked three times, Juan Soto provided the offensive spark in the seventh. Facing left-hander Génesis Cabrera, Soto launched his 28th home run of the season, a deep drive to left-center that bounced off the top of the wall into the bullpen.

However, it was LeMahieu who delivered the decisive hit of the game. Cole expressed his admiration for LeMahieu’s clutch performance, acknowledging his teammate’s strong day at the plate and highlighting the significance of such contributions in securing victories.

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