The Yankees’ win on Saturday turns remarkable with its slumping veterans hammering their way to the victory over Kansas City. In the seventh inning, DJ LeMahieu broke a tie with his first home run in almost six weeks, and in the eighth inning, Giancarlo Stanton‘s two-run homer provided the Yankees with the momentum to take an unassailable lead in the three-game series.
While Aaron Judge has been sidelined due to injury, Aaron Boone and the Yankees have been eager for several of their struggling former All-Stars to step up and deliver strong performances. But most of its offense, including key veterans, were struggling to hit.
In the late stages of the Yankees’ Saturday game, a couple of those struggling former All-Stars came through to propel the Yankees to yet another crucial victory at Yankee Stadium. As a result, the Yankees improved their record to 52-47 with the win, marking their second consecutive victory after a challenging 1-5 road trip following the All-Star break.
LeMahieu’s first homer for the Yankees in 26 games
LeMahieu’s home run in the seventh inning provided the Yankees with a 3-2 lead, and they held on to secure the win with strong performances from relievers Tommy Kahnle and Clay Holmes, who notched his 13th save, closing out the final six outs of the game.
LeMahieu’s home run came on a full count and was hit to the opposite field, clearing the right-field wall. It marked his first home run in 26 games, with his previous one dating back to June 13 when they faced the Mets.
LeMahieu expressed his satisfaction, stating that it felt good. The Yankees player mentioned that he is starting to heat up at the plate, with a batting average of .317 (13-for-41) in his last 11 games. He shared that his approach involves simplifying his approach while maintaining a loose and aggressive mindset.
The Yankees’ third baseman explained that he had been working on certain adjustments leading up to the All-Star break, and after the break, he was eager to put them into action and make progress. He expressed his enthusiasm about being on the right path and feeling like he’s making positive strides.
LeMahieu expressed his satisfaction with the Yankees’ recent performance securing a 5-2 victory over the Royals, stating that they’ve had a couple of good games. He also mentioned that winning the upcoming game would make the situation even better. He acknowledged that it has been a challenging period both for the team and personally, but he believes that overcoming these struggles will make them stronger and better in the long run. LeMahieu also expressed anticipation for Aaron Judge’s return, which he believes will be a positive addition to the team.
Stanton signals his breakout
Following LeMahieu’s home run that put the Yankees back in the lead, Stanton delivered two crucial runs in the eighth inning against right-handed pitcher Dylan Coleman with his 13th home run of the season, marking his sixth homer in his last 10 games.
Boone expressed his thoughts on Stanton’s performance, stating that they are aware of his capabilities when he’s fully focused, and it’s encouraging to witness his recent progress. He believes Stanton has been moving in the right direction over the past couple of weeks. Boone mentioned that it’s not even a situation of Stanton being at his peak form yet, but he is getting there, as evident from the crucial insurance home run he hit during the game.
In the leadoff spot, Billy McKinney, who had a crucial three-run homer in Friday night’s 5-4 victory, earned a walk, followed by Gleyber Torres reaching base on an infield single. Anthony Rizzo hit into a 3-6-3 double play, but Stanton, who had three RBIs in the game, came through with a two-out single to left, scoring McKinney.
However, the Yankees wasted no time in regaining the lead during the bottom of the inning as Torres hit a sacrifice fly, bringing Volpe home after he had doubled and stolen third base.
In the fifth inning, Gerrit Cole found himself in a challenging situation with runners on first and third and no outs. But Ben Rortvedt helped him get out of the jam and minimize the damage.
On Sunday, the Yankees will aim for a three-game sweep against the Royals, who currently possess the second-worst record in baseball (28-72). Luis Severino will take the mound for the Yankees in the upcoming game.
Additionally, due to the Red Sox’s loss to the Mets in the completion of a suspended game, the Yankees’ victory also lifted them out of the last spot in the AL East, although it’s a temporary improvement.
The current AL MVP, Aaron Judge, is scheduled to participate in live batting practice before the Sunday game, marking his first time doing so since he suffered a ligament tear in his right big toe in early June.
Boone expressed that the team has seen some improvement lately, and in the last two games, contributions have come from multiple players. He emphasized the need to maintain this momentum and acknowledged that it’s only been two games, but there’s an opportunity for a successful series.
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