The New York Yankees toppled the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics in yet another week of winning baseball in the Bronx.
What does losing feel like? Seriously, just ask the New York Yankees because, honestly, I’m not sure they really understand the feeling anytmore.
Yes, they did lose one to Boston and one to Oakland. However, in both losses, they hung around until the very end. And THAT, my friends, is impressive for this ballclub because some of these young guys don’t even know what it feels like to be blown out.
With a 4-2 week at home under their belts, the Yankees impressed the home crowd with some great plays and timely hits. Let’s take a look at who made the cut for this week’s top plays.
6. Stanton seeing double
Giancarlo Stanton has yet to truly get going for the New York Yankees. However, he’s crushed the Boston Red Sox so far this year, batting .478 in six games against the AL East foes. Those numbers were helped by his two home runs on Tuesday in the Bronx.
The first was a laser shot to left off starter Drew Pomeranz while the second was an opposite field blast to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Perhaps the most impressive part of this performance? He didn’t strike out!
The weather is heating up and so is Giancarlo. This is going to be so much fun to watch.
We're not sure if Dellin Betances even knows how he made this play ??♂️ pic.twitter.com/OW8YrfmkGo
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 13, 2018
5. Betances the Magician
What? How? We used to ask that about Dellin Betances and his incredible velocity. Now we are saying it about the plays he’s making.
Sunday afternoon Betances snagged a chopper up the middle BEHIND HIS BACK. That’s right…a no-look grab. After the toss to first, we could revel in the awesome nature of that play.
Betances is doing it all. He seems back to his reliable form and now he’s making plays like THIS? I think we love it.
4. All Dive!
A close game in the Bronx against the Red Sox? That’s absolutely no problem for Aaron Judge, who thrives in clutch moments. That statement was further proven on Wednesday night.
Up 4-3 in the top of the fifth inning, Masahiro Tanaka needed a hero himself as J.D. Martinez smoked a line drive to right which promptly found its way to Judge’s glove.
While he didn’t win a Gold Glove last season, he definitely is showing that he needs to be in consideration this season. What a snag by the Judge, who can basically do it all.
3. The Gardner Tags One
Aroldis Chapman was struggling against the Oakland A’s on Saturday in the top of the ninth inning. With the game tied and the bases loaded, Brett Gardner decided to keep it that way with his outfield assist on a shallow fly ball.
With one out, Gardner positioned himself perfectly to make the catch and launch the throw for Gary Sanchez. Much credit needs to go to Sanchez as well, who placed a perfect tag that nabbed the runner before he could touch home plate.
After review, it was officially confirmed that Gardner doesn’t mess around in the outfield. Don’t run on the Gardner.
2. Neil Walk-Off
Neil Walker has had a rough go in pinstripes so far. For the first few weeks of the season, fans were calling for his head. The last two weeks? He’s been the primary rally starter for the Bombers.
This time, Walker didn’t start the rally. He ended it with an RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning in the Bronx. Walker took a pitch to right to score Sanchez from second and give the Yankees a 7-6 victory, stopping their two-game skid.
It all started with a few walks to start rallies. Now he’s finishing them himself. My, they grow up so fast.
1. The Comeback Kids
Nine come-from-behind wins this season? Let’s make it 10! The New York Yankees are the masters of the comeback and they did so again against one of the best closers in baseball in the biggest rivalry in sports.
Down 6-5 with runners on first and third in the bottom of the eighth, Craig Kimbrel entered the game for the Red Sox. At that point, the Yankees looked to be done. Well, these aren’t your grandparent’s Yankees.
Brett Gardner came up with a clutch two-run triple to give the Yankees the lead and Aaron Judge added on two more runs with a blast to Monument Park. All off of Kimbrel, who had only surrendered two runs this season up until this point.
These kids are truly fun to watch and this week was no exception. It may not have been a perfect week for the Bombers but they still came out on top, finishing 4-2 on the week.
The Yanks only have five games on tap for this week, traveling first to Washington D.C. and then to Kansas City for the start of their eight-game road trip. That just means more chances to prove just how great this team is. It’s a brand-new week. Time to keep it going on the road.
