From Bryan Hoch:
The improvements in Jasson Domínguez’s defensive game have been noticeable to uniformed personnel and observers alike, with “The Martian” showcasing better reactions and more efficient routes in recent games. He’s making his presence felt at the plate, too.
Domínguez collected three hits on Tuesday evening, including a go-ahead, three-run double, helping lead the Yankees to a 4-2 victory over the Royals at Yankee Stadium.
“Everybody wants to have a three-RBI game and three hits,” Domínguez said. “It feels really nice. Yesterday I had a big game in my defense; I felt that confidence, for sure.”
In Monday’s series opener, Domínguez made a couple of sparkling plays in left field that stole extra bases from Kansas City batters. One night later, the 22-year-old was a consistent thorn in their hurlers’ sides.
“I’m really proud of him and really excited for him,” said shortstop Anthony Volpe, “and excited for the team, because he brings a lot to the table. When he does stuff like that, it’s going to be hard for us to lose games.”
I mean, that was really fucking cool, right? After five EXTREMELY frustrating innings, where the Yankees, knowing Wacha was going to be aggressive early in the count, were making good wood on the ball throughout the game and getting NOTHING to show for it. Plus, Fried gave up a solo home run and then, after soft contact fucked the Yankees once again, Fried gave up a second run to Bobby Witt Jr. It wasn’t some crazy awful inning, but it was enough that it looked like the Yankees might be toast, but instead, three walks with two outs brought in a run, and brought the Martian to the plate batting righthanded. Dominguez had only a single hit against a lefty up until that point, and only three RBI from the right side of the plate, so it was an awesome shock to see him drive in three with one double!
Hilariously, he hit himself in the helmet with his follow through, and his helmet obviously then hit his head, and that dislodged his contact lenses while running to second base. So Boone took him out for defense, and defensive replacement Trent Grisham made an amazing play to rob a Royal of a double in the 7th.
It’s a BIT annoying that the Yankees only have two relievers they trust in Weaver and Williams, but, well, just get through these games, and Loaisiga will be back relatively soon!
Fried was great, overall.
The featured image is Fried tipping his hat to Grisham for the catch.
Our closer stinks. Sure it was a 1-2-3 inning, his first of the year. But a fly out to the RF wall followed by a smash up middle that luckily hit him in the glove – and yes one strike out against a .100 hitter on a pitch 2 feet outside does not give me confidence that he’s turned a corner.
Dominguez hit that right handed didn’t he?
Nice win and it’s great to see some guys playing well. It would be great if Dominguez can nail down the left field job and be better than average.
“Better than average” would be at least something, but man my hopes for this guy are a sight higher than that!
Good call, Chris. I was trying to say “against a lefthanded reliever” and I botched it. It’s fixed now!
is there a take-backsies clause in the Cortes-Williams deal? If not, real failure on Cash’s part.
I’m hearing that Cashman may have had his fingers crossed behind his back
I mean, Cortes is on the IL right now with an elbow strain, so it could just be a lose-lose deal.
I would LOVE for Dominguez to be the Yankees left fielder for the next ten years. That position is like the Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts
Jackie Robinson stole fewer than 200 bases which surprised me as his most iconic play was stealing home
Surprising indeed, but 197 SB is not bad for such a short career (just 10 years) with such a late start (age 28), in an era when stolen bases were not so common (his rookie year he led the NL with 29, and in 1949 he led MLB with 37)…
Aaron Boone says Luis Gil needs 10 days until he can start throwing.
Boone says Gil’s progression is “going fine” and the delay is due to his “level of healing”
Rice sits vs Kris Bubic
LHP
2-1, 0.96 ERA, 21 SO 18ip
Goldschmidt (R) 1B
C Bellinger (L) RF
A Judge (R) DH
J Chisholm Jr. (L) 2B
A Volpe (R) SS
A Wells (L) C
T Grisham (L) CF
J Domínguez (S) LF
O Peraza (R) 3B
Probably the right call.
By the way, Peraza has been looking pretty good at the plate recently. Nothing to show for it, but his swings have been impressive.