From Bill Ladson:
The home run duo of Yankees first baseman Ben Rice and right fielder Aaron Judge was at it again on Sunday afternoon against the Orioles at Yankees Stadium. Both went yard, as well as Jasson Domínguez, in an 11-3 victory, which helped New York win another series by taking the first three games of a four-game series.
But it was Ryan McMahon who drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning. With the score tied at 3, one out and left-hander Grant Wolfram on the mound, McMahon hit a grounder to first baseman Coby Mayo, who bobbled the ball, allowing Domínguez to score the go-ahead run. McMahon was credited with a single on the play.
It’s weird to try to make it about Ryan McMahon hitting a ground ball. That inning was about Dominguez leading off with a double, so why even get into McMahon’s ground ball? The story of the day on offense was The Martian having his best game BY FAR since he has returned to the team. He turned a tight game into a laugher.
Max Fried gave up three run in five and a third innings, but he pitched much worse than that.
An apology to David Bednar, who should have had a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth, but with a huge lead, Trent Grisham decided to let a ball drop rather than possibly collide with Jazz Chisholm (who was coming into the outfield to try to catch the ball, as well). I don’t begrudge Grisham, as he clearly would have gone for it if it mattered, but it DOES mean that I shouldn’t give Bednar shit for his inability to have 1-2-3 innings.
Brent Headrick is REALLY becoming a dude that you feel like you can rely on out in the pen. With Yovanny Cruz killing it in the minors, I don’t know why Cruz isn’t on the roster over Jake Bird.
Of course, even as the Yankees take three games in a row from the Orioles, the Rays swept the Giants, so if the Yankee lose the final game of this four game series, they’ll be WORSE off than they were when the series began! Unless the Rays also play Monday, that is, in which case they could also lose and the Yankees would lose no ground.
In big news, the Yankees have decided to keep Cabby as the everyday shortstop, and sent Volpe to the minors. It made sense. Cabby has played too well to lose his job, and Volpe is useless as a guy who can only play shortstop. Schuemann’s versatility is more useful.
Featured image is Dominguez watching his first home run of the season leave the field of play.
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“The Martian having his best game BY FAR since he has returned to the team.”
First time he’s looked anything like the dude who first came up before immediately getting injured.
He only has 19 PA!
I know.
But I can dream!
He gad a 100 OPS+ ass a 22 year old rookie. It is so too early to be over him.
RIP Sterls.
Loved him. The voice of my Yankees fan glory days and, unlike Kay, was never afraid to tell it like it is. Great job John. In a franchise full of greats, you earned your spot.
I grew up with him when he called the islander and net (aba) games. And I enjoyed him immensely (“islander goal! Islander goal!” And “give it to the Doctor (Julius)! They gave it to to doctor!”) but in the later years when he could not see so well it was so sad. “It is high it is far it is caught”).
Glad that he was part of the 96-2000 run.
Not a fan as an announcer but as a man he seemed HOF worthy.
John Sterling.
He was a character, unique, and we got some real joy out of him.
May he be in the good place.
CF Spencer Jones 2-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI — hit a 117-mph solo shot and 111-mph grand slam, both against major leaguer José Berríos
https://x.com/swbrailriders/status/2051001087105048677?s=61
Sad to hear about Sterling. He was fun to listen to in the ’90s. Less fun in the ’10s and ’20s, but tolerable with the nostalgia factor.
Glad they let Cabby keep the job. He’s earned it day in and day out. Last time Volpe earned anything was Spring Training of 2023. Can’t be afraid to send your players down to the minor leagues when they need to work on their game. Mantle was demoted in ’51, Jeter in ’95, and they turned out okay.
I agree with Brian, guessing that Lombard stays down for the year. I could see Volpe coming back up sooner if there’s an injury to Chisholm. But hopefully there won’t be, because a healthy Jazz is a lock for 70/70.
And The Martian this year.
Would actually like to see Jones get a shot at supplanting Grisham.
Guys got a 32.8% K rate in AAA. He’s not actually earning a promotion.
You think cashman will ever admit that he was wrong about Volpe? Remember that press conference or whatever it was when he lectured those questioning whether Volpe should be sent down. They – and most of us here – were right and the brilliant arrogant GM was wrong. 1,000 at bats later he agrees but probably will never admit his “process” was, and maybe still is, broken.
They had nobody better than. What if we trade phenom and he improves as much as Peraza has away from NY?
I mean the Yankees shouldn’t keep him in the minors because they’re afraid he will improve on another team. Among other things he clogs up a 40-man spot
Volpe was a huge asset from Cashman’s perspective in 2023 and 24 when he put up over 3.0 WAR for the league minimum salary. $/WAR was Volpe’s best statistic. Last year the numbers weren’t as good his salary went up, and this year if he struggles… well, Cot’s has his full year salary at $3.475 million, with Cabby at $2 million.
We’ve seen a Jose Caballero that nobody else has. He’s never been as good as he’s been since he got here. As long as Cabby stays this good, why spend more hoping Volpe gets back to his peak.
Volpe gets his full salary even in the minors though
Cashman’s bigger concern than dollars spent is dollars spent against the cap.