It’s inspiring to see how the New York Yankees have been playing lately, and that continued in yesterday’s matinee against the Chicago White Sox. The Yankee ace Gerrit Cole struggled a bit, but the Yankee hitting more than made up for any uncomfortableness he experienced on the mound. The game had a little bit of everything, some great fielding play by the Yankees, and an unusual lineup caused by injuries that came alive with seven runs.
Cole struggled but hitters picked him up
For the second outing in a row, New York Yankee ace Gerrit Cole didn’t have his best stuff going and seemed uncomfortable on the mound. In his last game, the hitters failed him and he recorded his second loss of the season against the Texas Rangers, he gave up five earned runs in five innings of work, while the Yankees only scored 2 runs in the game.
Yesterday was different, he didn’t allow a run even though his command was off, like any top-notch pitcher he found a way to make the pitches he needed to keep the Sox from scoring. Meanwhile, the Yankees supported him with seven runs in the game. Cole has been nothing short of great this season, he presently sports an ERA of 1.81.
Gleyber Torres has stepped it up
Gleyber Torres got off to a lackluster start this season even though he reportedly came into the season stronger and more ready than last season. But little byt little he has improved behind the plate and at short, playing much better baseball.
In the last two series, he has really shined, making some great plays in the field, by fielding more aggressively, and his bat has been alive. In the last two games against the White Sox, he has tried to carry the team on his back. On Friday he drove in all of the runs in the game. Yesterday he went 3 for 4, and with 4 RBI’s, raising his batting average to .268.
Playing against a powerhouse like the Chicago White Sox, the Yankees really needed performance out of their lineup, and they got it on this hot afternoon in the Bronx. Torres lead with 4 RBI’s. Brett Gardner provided the spark with two hits as did Aaron Judge. Four other Yankees hit in the game as well. Mike Ford had a 447′ foot homer in the sixth inning.
Could we ask more of Gio Urshela?
Recently, arguably the best 3rd baseman that ever played at the hot corner, Brooks Robinson commented on Gio Urshela, singing his praises, saying he really likes him. That is some pretty high praise from a third baseman of his stature.
The New York Yankees got a hell of a bargain when the secured him from the Cleveland Indians, as a backup player in the minor leagues. Early in 2019 the Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar required shoulder surgery, giving Urshela the chance to show what he could do at the hot corner, and he has done nothing less than impress. But he couldn’t hit..wait, that’s not true he has particularly shown that he can be one of the best and most consistant hitters behind the plate, he presently has the second highest batting average on the team.
Not only is Gio hitting but he is shining in the field, making plays that reminise Graig Nettles and yes Brooks Robinson. On Friday he started the first triple play since 2014. Yesterday he would have started three double plays if Rougie Odor hadn’t bobbled the ball on the third one. Quite frankly, there isn’t much more that could be asked for when speaking of Gio Urshela.