Start spreading the booooos, but not for the New York Yankees, the Houston Astros, who blew a three-run lead in the bottom of the 9th inning.
Houston entered the game with 43 wins on the season, eight games behind the New York Yankees. The game started off with electric firepower on both ends, with Houston launching a three-run blast courtesy of Alex Bregman in the top of the 1st inning, but Giancarlo answered shortly after in the bottom of the 1st, driving in DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Judge. The game was tied at three apiece until Yordan Álvarez stepped up to the plate in the top of the 3rd, launching a three-run blast to right field, driving in José Altuve and Bregman.
With Houston’s pitching looking stout in the middle innings, the Yankees waited patiently until the bottom of the 9th inning when Ryan Pressly stepped onto the mound. Pressly hadn’t given up a hit in two games, but the Bombers are a resilient bunch, with Aaron Hicks having an opportunity to tie the game with Stanton and Gleyber Torres on base.
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The biggest moment of the game for the Yankees came down to their most inconsistent hitter:
Hicks has been a liability with runners in scoring position this season, but he came up clutch at that moment, launching a three-run moon-shot to right field, traveling 412 feet. Hicks thrust his fist in the air, waiting for the cheers to swarm him after months of disappointing play. This confidence boost could propel him to a productive 2022 season, which the Yankees have been waiting patiently for.
AARON JUDGE WALK OFF!! Theeee Yankeeeees win!!! pic.twitter.com/zmvxCymj9L
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) June 24, 2022
However, with Jose Treviño and LeMahieu on base after Hicks’s three-run homer, Aaron Judge stepped up to the plate. Of course, Judge justified why ownership should give him a blank check after the season concludes. The Yankees’ star slugger slapped a single to left field, driving in Treviño easily and completing one of the Yankees’ best comeback wins of the season up to this point.
Against a tough Houston team and on the back of a series win against Tampa Bay, this Yankee team has shown incredible resilience over the past few days. Considering Jameson Taillon give up 10 hits and six earned runs over 5.2 innings, this game should’ve been all but lost. However, as every MLB team is realizing, you can never rule the Yankees out.