About Last Night: Homer Happy!!!

by Paul Semendinger

May 25, 2024

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The Yankees began their west coat trip last night, without a travel day (is that really fair?).

The big story heading in was Juan Soto's return to San Diego. How did it all turn out? See below.

About Last Night - Anthony Volpe began the game with a triple bringing his hitting streak to 17 games. Juan Soto's big return proved anticlimatic. Michael Kay talked over the PA announcer taking away from some of the mood. Then he reported that the fans were 50/50 in regard to boos and cheers. It mattered not. Soto whiffed. Aaron Judge then his a sacrifice fly which got home Volpe. Judge had two strikes on him - to get the big here there was impressive.

But that was just a preview to what came the next time those players came up. This was an inning for the ages. For an inning, I felt like I was watching the 1927 Yankees. No exaggeration. At all.

Juan Soto crushed a homer.

Aaron Judge crushed a homer.

Alex Verdugo just missed a homer and settled for a single off the left field wall.

Giancarlo Stanton then crushed a homer.

BOOM! BOOM!! BOOM BOOM!!!

Oh my, that was fun.

And when the dusted had lifted

and when they saw what had occurred

The Yankees were up six runs

the old straw was stirred and stirred and stirred

In the fourth inning, Gleyber Torres homered. It seems, he wanted to get in on the act. So he did.

At this point, I have to admit, I was hoping for no more runs and a lot of quick outs. I've been on top of the world for a few days, but it was getting late, and I was tired. (This story tells the story: https://drpaulsem.com/2024/05/24/my-newest-name-just-might-be-the-best/.)

The teams obliged. The Yankees scored a run in the top of the 9th, but that was it for the scoring. The final score:

Yankees 8, Padres 0

Tired, exhausted, elated, and joyful, I managed to stick with the game until its end at 12:20 p.m. or so.

Quick Stats:

• WP - Carlos Rodon

• LP - Yu Darvish

• HR - Soto, Judge, Stanton, Torres

• The trio of Soto, Judge, and Stanton have combined to hit more homers in 2024 than four other MLB teams. (I told you this seemed like the 1927 Yankees - simply Ruthian.)

• Graig Nettles was the "Name that Yankee" during the YES telecast. He belongs in Monument Park and the Hall of Fame.

The Big Story - Yu Darvish, the starting pitcher for the Padres, had been pitching very well. Had being the operative word. The Yankees were all over him. That fourth inning was one for the ages.

Player(s) of the Game - Not to be lost amidst the booming, Carlos Rodon turned in another solid performance pitching into the 7th and not allowing any runs.

Better to Forget - Anthony Rizzo was the only Yankee starter to fail to have a hit in the game.

Next Up - The Yankees will play the Padres again at 9:40 p.m. tonight. Marcus Stroman takes the mound for the Bronx Bombers (literally, the Bombers).