Gleyber good to the core after 2nd test
previous record, with 29 home runs in Cincinnati’s old Crosley Field.
“We got guys that are capable of that,” Aaron Boone said when asked about the Bombers’ offensive spectacle. “They’ve done a good job of taking advantage of some mistakes. Seems like everyone up and down our lineup has had their fair share and capitalized on it here.”
It was the first multi-career home run game for both Urshela and Higashioka.
It also gave the Yankees 10 games with a player hitting at least two home runs this season. The Bombers now have a record 11 players hit multiple home runs in a game against the
Orioles this season.
Urshela, who missed the last two games with a sore right knee and left shin, extended his hitting streak to 12 games, the longest active streak in the majors. During that stretch, Urshela has 13 extra-base hits and 10 RBI. He is hitting .412 during the run, and has 14 home runs this season.
Higashioka set a career high with five RBI and matched his careerhigh with two hits. His three-run homer capped a four-run fourth inning, with Cameron Maybin, who had four hits including a ninth-inning homer, singling home the first run of the night.
The Yankees were excellent on both sides of the ball.
James Paxton allowed one run on five hits over 6.2 innings, his longest start since April 16. Mixing up his pitches more for the second straight start, Paxton held the Orioles scoreless in the first inning, something he had not done in his five previous starts.
But Paxton was more enthusiastic about the run support he received.
“These guys are on fire. Getting it from all up and down the lineup. Everyone can swing the bat well,” Paxton said. “It’s been a lot of fun to watch. Tonight there were some long half-innings waiting to go back out there. But it’s fun to watch and I am all for scoring runs. I’ll wait as long as I have to for them to score runs.”
The Yankees have hit 203 through their first 114 games. Last season, when they finished with an MLB record 267, the Yankees had 186 at this point in the season. Still, the Bombers have a long ways to go if they are going to hold onto that title. They Twins had 223 going into Wednesday night.
But the Bombers do have four more games against the Orioles pitching, who have given up 234 homers this season, remaining this season. So there’s definitely still a shot.
BALTIMORE — Even after Gleyber Torres was tested by doctors in New York for the core issue that has forced him out of two games in the last week, the Yankees do not have any answers about what the issue is. But they do have their second baseman. Torres was cleared for the second time by team doctors to return to playing.
Torres was confident, rested and ready to go when he got back to Baltimore late in the Yankees’ 14-2 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards Wednesday. After leaving Tuesday night’s game with core pain, he was reassured after an MRI and testing by team doctors revealed that he does not have a hernia.
“Yeah, I feel really good. Last night during the game, I feel a little bit sore. I take the day off again, now I rest,” Torres said. “I feel better and just wait for the manager to put me in the lineup to play again.”
Aaron Boone said he considers Torres “day-to-day.” The 22-year old said he would like maybe one more day of rest, but “if my manager needs me (Thursday), I am good to go.”
“We’re not going to put him in any risk or anything. We’ll see where we’re at each day. If he’s not better in a few days and we’re in a situation where we need the extra spot, then we can do something at that point,” Boone said.
The Yankees head to Toronto for a four-game series, which could present another concern. Many medical researchers point to recent improvements in technology like the sneakers, cleats and artificial turf surfaces for the rise in soft-tissue injuries throughout sports.
Torres’ first early exit came on Sunday, but he was cleared to play after an ultrasound and examination by team doctors. Monday he was in the lineup as the designated hitter, going 0-for-5 with two strikeouts. Tuesday he went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before Boone removed him.
“I feel like he was letting it go, he wasn’t getting a lot of results,” Boone said of how Torres looked in those seven at-bats. “Whether he was a little uncomfortable or whatever, which obviously after last night when we took him out after a couple innings, he was a little bit uncomfortable. That’s why we removed him.”
Boone made the announcement after Thairo Estrada had walked into the visiting clubhouse at Camden Yards. The Yankees brought the infielder
to Baltimore because they were unsure if Torres would be heading to the IL until the afternoon. Estrade was sent back to Triple-A.
Torres is one of the few Yankees who has not made a trip to the IL this season. The Bombers have had 27 players go on the IL at some point this season and currently have 16 listed.
URSHELA BACK
After missing two games because of a sore right knee and left shin, Gio Urshela was back in the lineup Wednesday night, hitting two home runs. Urshela fouled balls off his knee and shin in Sunday night’s game.
“Felt pretty good about the things he was able to do yesterday, getting on the treadmill and some of the agility things he was able to do yesterday.” Boone said.
STANTON STARTS BACK UP
Giancarlo Stanton, who has been on the IL with a right knee sprain since June 26, began baseball activities on Tuesday.
“I know he threw, I believe yesterday, he hit off the tee yesterday, still doing Alter-G, light running on the treadmill and stuff, he’s definitely moving in the right direction,” Boone said.
Stanton has played just nine games this season. In his first stint on the IL, he dealt with biceps, shoulder and calf issues.
BACK ON THE MOUND
Luis Severino, who has not thrown a pitch in a game this season because of shoulder and lat injuries, is still on schedule to throw off the mound for the first time on Friday. Dellin Betances, also out with shoulder and lat issues all year, could be joining him on the mound as soon as Monday.
SABATHIA SOON
CC Sabathia, on the IL with right knee inflammation, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session this weekend.
“If everything goes well with that, maybe sometime next week possibly,” Boone said. “If he comes out of that well, a chance you can see him at some point on the homestand.”
SANCHEZ SOONER
Catcher Gary Sanchez, on the IL with a groin strain, began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton on Wednesday. Boone said the hope is that Sanchez will be back in the lineup on Saturday.