Greg Bird drills a home run to right field and pulls the New York Yankees out of a possible doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Royals.
The New York Yankees were teetering on the edge of a doubleheader sweep and a third straight loss to the Kansas City Royals. Things were bleak. Well, until Greg Bird launched a home run into the Yankee bullpen as Aroldis Chapman calmly prepared for the ninth.
Hicksy's sac fly wouldn't have given the Yankees a lead if not for Birdie's earlier homer. #YANKSonYES #nicknames pic.twitter.com/AXdZf94qHM
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 29, 2018
Bird’s home run knotted the game at four apiece and injected life into a Yankee team that needed it desperately. Bird is starting to heat up and it couldn’t come at a better time. With Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez sidelined, someone needs to step up and own the middle of the lineup.
Perhaps Bird is that guy.
A double, bunt single and walk ensued from Neil Walker, Austin Romine, and Gleyber Torres. A Hicks sac fly would drive in the go-ahead run. And that’s all Aroldis Chapman needed.
The game-winning sacrifice fly from Aaron Hicks. #YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/8e5Pu6x06J
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 29, 2018
The Cuban flamethrower wasn’t as dominant as he can be, but he managed to evade any damage. His breaking ball was off, but with runners on the corners, he managed to backdoor a slider that caught the black on Whit Merrifield.
The Yankees looked down and out in this one, especially after the disappointing 10-5 loss earlier on Saturday afternoon. Another loss would have been a gut punch.
The Boston Red Sox took care of business against the Minnesota Twins. There is still more than enough time to catch the Red Sox, but the season is creeping closer towards the finish line.
