FORD TOUGH!!! Just like that, Mike Ford slugs his first big-league home run! The Yankees lead 4-0 in the fifth. #YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/FryQOsiqjH
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) April 24, 2019
New York Yankees rookie first baseman Mike Ford clubbed his first career home run via a deep drive to right-center.
New York Yankees first baseman Mike Ford got his first career hit last weekend and didn’t need to wait long to hit a new milestone.
Facing Los Angeles Angels righty Chris Stratton, Ford launched his first career home run. The two-run blast scored Brett Gardner and gave the Yankees a 4-0 lead in the fifth inning. It was his second hit of the game, the first being a single to right in the second.
WFAN Yankees play-by-play man John Sterling used the familiar “Ford Tough” call to ring in the rookie’s first career blast.
Sterling's Mike Ford HR call…. pic.twitter.com/Efn5UjuAGA
— – Aaron – (@AboveAverageA) April 24, 2019
Ford, 26, was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last week after Greg Bird was placed on the injured list. He hit .410 with five home runs and 14 RBI in 10 games with the Railriders. A former undrafted free agent out of Princeton University, this has been quite the journey for him.
Mike Ford‘s batting average now sits at .176, and he could see some more playing time if he keeps swinging well. The injury-depleted Yankees may prefer to keep the defensively-challenged Luke Voit at DH until Giancarlo Stanton returns. Moreover, if Bird’s health continues to be an issue, the Yankees would do well to keep a young and powerful lefty bat around.
Here’s hoping Ford keeps trending upward, as the Yankees certainly need the help with Aaron Judge out indefinitely.
The Yankees lead the Angels 5-1 in the seventh inning. Stay tuned to Elite Sports NY for further updates.
