About Last Night: The Yankees Defeated the Mariners 7-3
By Tim Kabel
May 23, 2024
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After losing the first two games of this series against the Mariners, and their first two back-to-back games at home this season, the Yankees bounced back last night. They have 34 wins and are17 games over .500. Sometimes a bump in the road is just a bump in the road. Let’s hope that was the case this week.
Quick Stats –
· The Yankees became the first team in the American League to reach 34 wins.
· Anthony Volpe has a 15-game hitting streak.
· Nestor Cortes only pitched five innings, but gave up no runs, three hits, and struck out six.
· This was Juan Soto’s 19th career multi-home run game, and second one on this homestand.
· The first four hitters in the Yankees’ lineup were 6-14 with 4 home runs,7 runs and 7 RBI.
· Luke Weaver’s streak of 18 scoreless innings ended last night. Time to start a new one.
· Happy 81st birthday to Tommy John. I wonder if has Dr. Jobe cut his cake.
Big Story –
The Yankees wrap up the series against the Mariners today before heading on a West Coast road trip to finish the month. With a win today, they will be 5-2 on this homestand. Things have been very positive so far this season. In the words of Laurel and Hardy from Babes in Toyland, “So good, so far.”
Player of the Game –
Juan Soto had two home runs and three RBI. To borrow a line from Jack Curry, it was a Two for Juan sale in the Bronx last night.
Notable Performances –
Aaron Judge hit his 14th home run of the season.
Tommy Kahnle pitched a scoreless inning in his first outing this season.
Better to Forget –
Michael Tonkin struggled last night. There seems to be a gap between Aaron Boone’s perception of his abilities and his actual abilities. We could call it the Tonkin Gulf.
My Take –
The Yankees have started this season very well. They have the best record in the American League. They are in first place in the American League East by three games. Tommy Kahnle returned to the team last night. DJ LeMahieu and Gerrit Cole are on the horizon. Jasson Dominguez could also be back relatively soon. Right now, things look terrific for the Yankees.
I hate to be a wet blanket but, someone has to be. Things looked terrific at this point of the season two years ago. Despite the hot start for the Yankees, they still have the same albatross hanging around their neck that they have had for the past six years. Aaron Boone still has the potential to foul things up. His decision-making last night turned a 5-0 game into a 5-3 game in the blink of an eye. The night before, he decided to use Clayton Andrews for some unknown reason. He would have been better off using Julie Andrews. At least she could have sung “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” in the postgame press conference. Clayton Andrews was banished to Scranton yesterday. Although the Yankees won last night, Boone still made questionable decisions.
This season is eerily reminiscent of 2022. I know many people don't like to read that but, it doesn't take much to turn a little two-game losing streak into a 10-game losing streak if you know how. Aaron Boone knows how. In 2022, the Yankees built up a huge lead in the first half of the season and then frittered it away. I'm not saying that will happen this year. I certainly hope it doesn't. But the same chef is preparing the meals. He has better ingredients this season but, he's still the same chef. Of course, I will go to his restaurant, and I will order from his menu but, I'll keep a sandwich in my backpack just in case.
Next Up –
Today, the Yankees play the final game of the four-game series against the Seattle Mariners at 12:35 PM at Yankee Stadium. Luis Gil, (5-1, 2.39 ERA) will face Seattle’s Luis Castillo (4-5, 3.28 ERA).
Bringing in Tonkin and Weaver were not mistakes. Each was the right call at the time; it's just neither worked out. Tonkin is a Cashman issue. The thrice DFA'd guy should be able to give a couple of innings with a 5-run lead. Instead, inexcusably, he starts walking people. I'd rather see a solo home run than a walk in that situation. Tonks needs the Bellatrix Lestrange treatment (metaphorically, of course). Weaver has been solid, and this was the first run he's given up in a while. It was so damaging only because of Tonkin's walks.
The night before was different, and I blame Cashman and Boone equally. Andrews has no business being on any Major League roster. Boone shou…
To keep blaming Boone is stupid. So many of the contributors here use all these advance metrics to show things, but everyone seems to want to put all the blame on Boone, simply because he is listed as the Manager and publicly does the interviews as the manager. Besides none of the coaches having been his choice, how many of us really think a 3rd generation MLB player, who has a father who was a manager, when managers allowed to make their own moves & lineups, really think he is as incompetent as a lot of the moves make him out to be? Just remember Billy Eppler had Buck Showalter put out the lineup HE wanted. The Yankees are …