NEW YORK -- Miguel Andújar’s willingness to embrace the challenge of playing the outfield has impressed the Yankees’ coaching staff, but they
also recognize that it continues to be a work in progress.
Andújar encountered a learning moment in the Yankees’ 6-3 victory over
the Red Sox on Monday evening, as he turned the wrong way while
attempting to catch Alex Verdugo’s sixth-inning drive to left field. The
ball bounced for a run-scoring ground-rule double.
“It was probably the toughest play I've encountered out there in left
field
Aaron Judge Jersey, especially from a left-handed batter,” Andújar said through a
translator. “But you learn from it and you make the adjustments
necessary for the next play.”
After the play, Andújar huddled with outfield coach Reggie Willits on
the Yankees’ bench. According to Andújar, Willits said that the slicing
liner from the left-handed Verdugo would have been difficult even for a
veteran left fielder, an assessment that manager Aaron Boone echoed.
“It was a very difficult play,” Boone said. “Verdugo hit the ball well,
that slicing line drive right over a left fielder’s head. That's a tough
play for experienced guys. Miggy got turned around the wrong way and
didn't quite recover well enough.”The Yankees continue to believe that
Andújar will be able to find at-bats in the outfield corners, as well as
at third base. He was in Tuesday’s lineup as the designated hitter.
Andújar, 25, produced one hit in his first 14 at-bats before being
optioned to the Yankees’ Moosic, Pa., alternate training site on Aug. 6.
Andújar said that he was surprised by the demotion but aimed to keep a
positive attitude during his time there.
“It has been tough finding that consistency,” Andújar said. “You
understand that you still have a responsibility to work hard, prepare
yourself as best as possible and understand that the opportunity will be
there.”
New look, same Luke
Luke Voit was “pretty fired up” to learn that he would serve as the
leadoff hitter in Tuesday’s series opener against the Rays, according to
Boone, who said that he first approached Voit with the possibility when
the club was dealing with numerous injuries last season
Alex Rodriguez Jersey.“The Rays are very good at matching up and creating some really good lanes
for some of their heavy split on one side [relievers],” Boone said. “I’m
trying to eliminate long righty or long lefty lanes, just trying to
create a little bit of balance.”
Voit homered twice in Monday’s victory and entered play on Tuesday
riding a seven-game hitting streak.
Green lighted
Fernando Tatis Jr. had Major League clubhouses buzzing on Tuesday about
the game’s so-called “unwritten rules” after the young Padres star hit a
grand slam on a 3-0 pitch in a lopsided victory over the Rangers on
Monday night.
Count Gerrit Cole among the chorus of voices who saw no issue with Tatis
Jr.’s big swing.“It's pretty simple for me,” Cole said. “It's pretty
hard to hit a grand slam. Whatever count you want to try to hit one,
then go for it.”
Boone said that he considers the debate about not trying to score as
many runs as possible to be “outdated,” noting the increased importance
and usage of bullpens in the modern game. By scoring more runs, a team
may be able to avoid using higher-leverage relievers
Aroldis Chapman Jersey, thus making them available in a closer game the next day.
“Just a few nights ago, we were having a debate about whether we should
still try and steal a base if we're up five or six [runs],” Boone said.
“I do believe there's a sportsmanship etiquette in certain situations
that you want to avoid disrespecting [opponents]. … But I do think a lot
of it is outdated and really silly.”
Bombers bits
The Yankees announced that they signed infielder Jordy Mercer to a Minor
League contract, adding him to their 60-man roster on Aug. 14 and
assigning him to their alternate training site. Mercer, 33, was
designated for assignment by the Tigers and elected free agency on Aug.
6.
Right-hander Nick Nelson was recalled from the alternate training site
prior to Tuesday’s game. He replaces right-hander Ben Heller, who was
optioned after Monday’s game. Boone said that the Yankees wanted a
pitcher with multi-inning capability after right-hander Michael King
pitched three innings on Monday.
Catcher Wynston Sawyer has been transferred to the Yankees’ 60-man
roster. He is assigned to the alternate site.
This date in Yankees history
Aug. 18, 1983: The "Pine Tar" game from July 24 resumes from the point
after George Brett’s home run. Yankees manager Billy Martin plays Ron
Guidry in center field and places the left-handed Don Mattingly at
second base as the Royals win, 5-4. NEW YORK -- The Yankees'
decision-makers tracked Luke Voit's statistics for more than two years
before pouncing
Bernie Williams Jersey, believing that his potential had yet to be fully tapped. They took a
celebratory lap when that call was proven correct, and the slugger is
continuing to reward their investment.
Voit enjoyed the second multihomer game of his career on Monday evening,
clearing the Yankee Stadium walls in the second and fifth innings as
the Yankees completed a four-game sweep of the Red Sox with a 6-3
victory.
"We have the deepest team in baseball," Voit said. "Guys are coming up
and providing us with innings, at-bats, everything. It's really
impressive. I've never been on a team that's had this much depth. Guys
have stepped in for big-time All-Star players and have done really
well."Thairo Estrada and Aaron Hicks also homered for the Yankees
Brett Gardner Jersey, who improved to 10-0 in the Bronx this year, tying club records set in
1951 and '87. New York has dominated the Red Sox dating back to last
season, winning 10 consecutive games for the first time since 1952-53,
when Ted Williams was flying combat missions in Korea.
"That's unique in the history of this rivalry," Yankees manager Aaron
Boone said. "I just think it's a stretch where we've had a few really
good series against them. They've had some things not go their way, so I
don't put a whole lot into it."One of the American League's most
productive power hitters prior to a core muscle injury last June that
eventually required surgery, Voit used baseball's four-month pause
productively, trimming about 13 pounds from his frame while increasing
strength.
Voit has said that he feels like his thump has returned, and he's not
shy about showing it, especially with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton
on the injured list. Voit crushed a two-run shot in the second inning
off Boston starter Martín Pérez, then circled the bases again in the
fifth with a solo shot to left field off Josh Osich.
"Luke is a guy that can do a lot of damage," Hicks said. "He's starting
to prove that now. He's very important to this team, especially now.
We've got a couple of guys on the IL and he's going to be very important
to us."Two of Voit's four career multihomer games have come against the
Red Sox, having also accomplished the feat on Sept. 19, 2018. His seven
homers are second on the club to Judge's nine.
"It's a big-time series every time you play these guys. We always bring
it," Voit said. "They've been fighting the injury bug, too, but we've
had guys come up and step up. They've had a lot of pitching guys going
up and down. We're locked in and it doesn't matter who it is. We'll be
ready to go."
