The New York Yankees ended a four-game losing streak on Tuesday evening against the Tampa Bay Rays, thanks to Clint Frazier and a walk-off home run.
The Yankees and Rays were tied at three apiece when the brilliance of Frazier began to shine through, making a spectacular catch in the 10th inning and winning it in the 11th.
Clint sat on a breaking ball, which dipped right into the strike zone, giving him a perfect opportunity to launch a ball into the stands, injecting a bit of positivity and momentum. The team has been ailing offensively, so the spark was a necessity as the Yankees tallied only six hits on the evening.
Later, Frazier. pic.twitter.com/o29NqJlG2I
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 2, 2021
Good news and bad news for the Yankees:
Once again, the Yankees’ offense was sparse, recording five runs, nearly totaling the same number in their past four games. They struck out 11 times but looked far more patient at the plate, enjoying seven walks. Their pitching got the job done after Domingo German gave up three runs over 5.0 innings. The relief was phenomenal, not allowing a single hit over the final six innings of the game.
Skipper Aaron Boone utilized a majority of his relief options, ranging from Jonathan Loaisiga, Chad Green, Aroldis Chapman, Lucas Luetge, to Luis Cessa.
Interestingly, Boone elected to give shortstop Gleyber Torres the night off, inserting Gio Urshela at SS. He made a few stellar defensive plays. There’s an argument to be made that Urshela should be the starting shortstop, the most important position in the infield.
However, that would leave a vulnerability at third base, and the Yankees don’t have a supplement. I wouldn’t trust Torres or Miguel Andujar on the hot corner after struggling significantly at their respective positions.
Thus was a tough victory for the Yankees, but one they desperately needed to add a bit of hope for their offense moving forward. They will take on Tampa on Wednesday evening at 7:05 PM, with Jordan Montgomery on the mound. Montgomery currently hosts a 4.22 ERA over 53.1 innings this year. Hopefully, they can double down and walk away from this series winning two games, at least.
The Bombers will host the Boston Red Sox after they wrap up the current four-game game series with Tampa, extending the home-stand.