From David Adler:
For eight innings at Yankee Stadium on Friday night, the Yankees’ offense was silent. The big bats woke up just in time.
The Yankees entered the bottom of the ninth of their series opener against the Tigers with a zero on the scoreboard, trailing 1-0 with just two hits. But then came a leadoff single by Aaron Judge. A beautiful bunt hit by Alex Verdugo. A missile of a game-tying double by Giancarlo Stanton. And finally, the game-winning single through a drawn-in infield by Anthony Rizzo. All off a tough closer in Jason Foley.
Suddenly, the Bronx Bombers had pulled off a walk-off 2-1 win.
“Winning like this, when we’re not clicking, is big down the road,” Rizzo said. “I know it’s one game, but every game matters.”
I agree that it matters, but I think the other eight innings are what matters. This team is in a deep, deep hitting funk, with those two games in Milwaukee hiding how bad things are (as they’re actually third in the American League in run scoring because of those two big games in Milwaukee).
Rizzo still gets the featured image for the game-winner.