Bomb squad: Yanks slug their way to win
Stanton, Hicks, Higashioka all homer
NEW YORK — Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and Kyle Higashioka each homered and the New York Yankees went ahead early and hung on to beat the Atlanta Braves 8-5 on Tuesday night.
Aaron Judge had two hits and a walk, and he stole two bases for the first time in his career. Hicks also walked twice as New York drew eight free passes.
The Yankees improved to a major league-best 21-6 against left-handed starters and remain a game behind Boston for the majors’ best record.
Nick Markakis and Ender Inciarte each hit two-run homers for Atlanta, which ended a four-game winning streak. The Braves remain atop the NL East but fell behind the Brewers for the best record in the NL.
A night after Atlanta rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. barely cleared the wall to give Atlanta an 11-inning victory, the Yankees took advantage of their cozy stadium.
Hicks continued his home run binge by hitting Sean Newcomb’s 95 mph fastball two rows into the right field stands for his 15th of the season and a 2-0 lead in the first. The 15 homers match a career high.
Newcomb (8-3) stood on the mound shaking his head after the ball carried over the fence. The lefthander allowed five runs in 2 2/3 innings in the shortest start of his career. Newcomb had posted three straight quality starts but threw a career-high 111 pitches his last time out.
New York scored twice in the third without a hit. Newcomb walked the bases loaded, then walked Brandon Drury to force in a run. Luke Jackson relieved, but he walked Higashioka for another run. Newcomb’s five walks matched a career high.
Staked with a six-run cushion, Yankees starter Domingo German tired in the fifth. After Johan Camargo walked, Inciarte crushed a curveball into the stands for his sixth of the season.