In a rain-shortened week, there certainly weren’t shortages when it came to top plays for the New York Yankees. Take a look at some highlights from the past week.
Just four baseball games happened for the New York Yankees this past week. Four. Mother Nature seems to have it out for the sport of baseball and the Bronx Bombers.
But in those four games, there have come a slew of top 10 worthy plays. While Aaron Judge doesn’t have spot on this week’s list, there are still appearances from Gary Sanchez and the now healthy Aaron Hicks.
So let’s take a look at the six top plays for this short week. And let’s hope for more baseball next week…maybe.
6. Tyler Austin makes the play
BEFORE the brawl broke out on Wednesday night, Tyler Austin made a pretty awesome play at first.
With Greg Bird out for an undisclosed amount of time, Neil Walker and Austin have been getting reps at first. This play by Austin was one the proves that he deserves a shot to get more action in the field.
The dive and ranging to his right was impressive enough but to recover and toss the ball cleanly to Tommy Kahnle was the icing on the cake. Plus, he got Brock Holt out and, seeing as how Holt started a fight with Austin one day later, at least Austin won one battle.
5. Gardy’s hustle double
In the Yankees’ breakout game in Detroit on Friday, Brett Gardner proved he has slowed down just yet.
Already up 2-0 on the Tigers, Gardy blooped a hit in front of the center fielder and, after it ricocheted back towards the infield, Gardner took advantage and slid into second with a true hustle double.
That effort by Gardner also drove in a run to put the Yankees up 3-0 in their eventual 8-6 victory. Hopefully that is the kind of spark Gardy will continue to provide for the team as they head back home to face Miami.
4. Sanchez’s home run…andddd another one
2018 David Price has officially met his match. That would be the rough and tough catcher for the Yankees, Gary Sanchez.
Sanchez took Price deep in the first inning on a home run that confused everyone, especially left fielder J.D. Martinez. Then he crushed a no-doubter to left in the fourth to give the Yankees a commanding 8-1 lead.
That is TWO off the powerful Boston Red Sox pitching staff. And the Yankees needed all the runs they could get as they barely escaped with the victory on Wednesday night.
3. Didi Glove-gorius
Once again, Derek Jeter who?
Didi Gregorius proved once again that his defensive is worthy of recognition by making an incredible backhanded stop. But it wasn’t the stop that was the most impressive part. It was the fact that Gregorius as able to make a strong throw across the diamond to get the speedy Mookie Betts out.
Overall, a great play by the coveted shortstop and against one of the team’s fiercest rivals. This is a play that will be talked about in his highlight video at the end of the season for sure.
2. Clear the bases, Sanchez!
Another Sanchez highlight. This time, Sanchez came up to the plate with the bases loaded, no outs, top of the ninth inning and down six runs. He has no fear.
Sanchez launched an opposite-field double, bringing back memories of Game 4 of the ALCS in New York. However, in Fenway Park, he hit it to the perfect location to score all three runs and bring the Yankees within three runs.
I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it again. Hopefully we’ll see more of these Sanchez hits through this season.
1. Inside-Out Homers
Welcome home from the disabled list, Aaron Hicks! Let’s get your season officially started with a bang. Or two.
Hicks hit two home runs on Friday in Detroit but they were both incredibly different. Hicks’ first blast was an inside-the-park job while his second was an absolute no-doubter, crushed to right-center field.
If Hicks can get back to form (which it seems like he already has), he’ll play a huge role in this lineup that has underperformed so far this season. A-A-ron, welcome back to the big club. It’s great to have you pimping home runs again.
So, there you have it. Even with only four games, the Yankees still managed to have a slew of impressive plays to choose from for this week’s top plays. Hopefully more baseball will be played this week in the Bronx but only if Mother Nature cooperates.
