Gary’s defense has Joe scratching head
Gary Sanchez’s bad defense is baffling to Joe Girardi. After the catcher allowed another passed ball Wednesday — a crucial one that represented Sanchez’s AL-leading 13th of the season – Girardi had no explanation.
“I can’t tell you why. Those are things we continue to work on with him. It’s unfortunate,” Girardi said. “It probably lead to another run for them and we lose a tight ball game. It’s unfortunate.”
Sanchez’s passed ball actually directly led to a run in Cleveland’s 2-1 victory over the Yanks in the opening game of the doubleheader, as Francisco Lindor scored from third for the first run of the game. The low fastball also went under Sanchez’s glove without touching the ground, darting through the catcher’s legs.
Sanchez, who has had to answer a lot about spotty defense, had a bare bones explanation for his latest gaffe.
“I tried to catch it, and I dropped it,” he said, before adding later, “It’s something that happens in games. I’m not perfect.”
Lefty pitcher Jaime Garcia, who picked up one unearned run because of the passed ball, played the good teammate and shouldered the blame.
“That’s where I wanted to throw it, but my stuff sometimes moves,” Garcia said. “That’s the pitch I wanted to throw. All I know is, if I was a catcher I wouldn’t want to catch me. I feel like the catchers here have done an unbelievable job catching me. It was a play where we saw a run score and also I gave up a hit right after. I take the blame for that. Unfortunately we didn’t win the game, and that’s on me.”
Sanchez was moved to DH for Game 2 of the doubleheader, which the Yanks lost, 9-4.
“(The error) is something I need to forget about, and focus on the games coming up,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez also had a rough day at the plate, going a combined 1-for-8 while grounding into a pair of double plays.
Since jumping in on a brawl and wailing on unsuspecting Miguel Cabrera and Nicholas Castellanos a week ago, Sanchez is just 4-for25 with zero runs and one RBI. As a result of those punches he has a likely suspension looming — which might help the Yanks’ defense.
A league source has confirmed to the News that the Sanchez-Austin Romine appeal hearings related to that brawl are expected to take place on Friday.
IMPORT-ANT TRIP
Brian Cashman and assistant GM Jean Afterman will be in Japan watching two-way phenom Shohei Otani pitch for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters on Thursday at 5 a.m. ET, according to a source. They will see him play the field in another game, the source added.
Otani, 23, is an intriguing starter/outfield prospect but has missed significant time this year due to ankle and thigh injuries.
The Bombers have acquired additional international bonus pool money in three trades. Because of changes to the CBA, if Otani were to sign with an MLB team after this season, while he’s still under 25, he would stand to make much less money now as opposed to if he waited a couple years. The hard cap on international players would allow him to sign for around $10 million, according to Yahoo! Sports, if he inked a deal after 2017.
The Dodgers and Red Sox are also said to be among the teams interested in Otani. Afterman was instrumental in the Yankees’ previously bringing over Hideki Matsui and Masahiro Tanaka from Japan.
It is not known if the Bombers would be willing to let Otani — considered the Babe Ruth of
OF NOTE
Starlin Castro (hamstring) started Game 2 (0-for-3) after striking out as a pinch-hitter in the ninth of Game 1. … It’s unknown how the Yankees will proceed with Game 2 starter Jordan Montgomery (4 IP, 4 ER, 92 pitches). Montgomery could be a candidate to return to the rotation/ pitching staff when the rosters expand Sept. 1. … Aroldis Chapman (MRI left elbow Monday) was available, but didn’t pitch, only warming up late in Game 2.