Aaron Hicks Powers The New York Yankees To Series Sweep (Highlights)
Apr 13, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Aaron Hicks (31) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Thanks to two home runs by Aaron Hicks, the New York Yankees were able to complete the series sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays. 

  • Tampa Bay Rays: 2 (5-5)
  • New York Yankees: 3 (5-4)
  • American League, FINAL, Box Score
  • Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

Aaron Hicks’ two-homer day powered the New York Yankees to their first series sweep of 2017 by a score of 3-2 over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Hicks, in his first start in left field filling in for Brett Gardner, got the scoring started in this one by smacking a solo shot in the bottom of the first off Rays’ starter Matt Andriese. Yankees’ starter Luis Severino gave the lead up in the very next inning, though, as Jesus Sucre lined a RBI single to center field to drive in Logan Morrison.

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Severino settled into a groove, however, and made just one mistake for the rest of the game. In the top of the fifth, he left a fastball right in the wheelhouse of Peter Bourjos who tattooed it towards the bleachers in left to give the Rays a 2-1 lead.

The young 23-year-old nevertheless struck out a career-high 11 batters and walked just one over seven innings of work. In the inning after he left the game, Hicks decided that kind of outing doesn’t deserve an “L” next to it and took Xavier Cedeno deep with Jacoby Ellsbury on first to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead.

He became the first Yankee to homer from both sides of the plate since Mark Teixeira did on June 31, 2015, and just the 16th Yankees’ left fielder to homer twice in a game since 2000.

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Dellin Betances then erased a walk to sucre and a single by Corey Dickerson in the eighth by striking out Kevin Kiermaier and Evan Longoria on absolute filth then induced an inning-ending groundout back to the mound off the bat of Brad Miller.

Closer Aroldis Chapman then came on to slam the door shut for his second save in as many tried, to cap off the sweep and the Yankees fourth straight game.

Young Stud:

With 11 strikeouts tonight, Severino (23.142 years old) became the youngest Yankees’ starter to strike out 11 or more batters since Al Leiter (22.174 yrs old) struck out Toronto Blue Jays’ batters 11 on April 14, 1988.

This Day In Yankees History: 

On April 13, 1978, “Reggie!” Candy Bar Day occurred at the home opener at Yankee Stadium.

Reggie Jackson, coming off a World Series in which he became just the second person in history to hit three homers in a single World Series game, crushed a three-run HR in the first inning which caused fans to shower the field with the future hall of famer’s candy bar.

New York went on to defeat the White Sox by a score of 4-2.

What’s Next: 

On Friday night, the Yankees will kick off a weekend series with the St. Louis Cardinals at Yankee Stadium.

Taking the mound for the third time this season will be Masahiro Tanaka, coming off a no-decision in Baltimore in which he gave up three earned runs on six hits while matching his career-high in walks. The righty is 5-4 with a 2.49 ERA in 10 career Interleague starts.

For the Cardinals, Michael Wacha will get the starting nod for the second time in 2017. On April 8 against the Cincinnati Reds, the 25-year old surrendered just one run on three hits while striking out six. This will be his first career start against the Yankees.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET on the YES Network and can be caught on the radio at WFAN 660/101.9 FM.

 NEXT: Judge’s Inhuman Power Is On Full Display


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