New York Yankees

Matt Holliday returned to the lineup Sept. 2 for the first time since Aug. 4 after missing 25 games because of a lumbar strain, and he announced his return with a three-run homer off Pomeranz.

Holliday entered the game 1-for-9 with five strikeouts in his career against Pomeranz.

“I’m just trying to focus on the next month and what opportunities we have as a team, and I have to contribute,” said Holliday, who missed 14 games this season because of a viral infection. “I’m trying to stay present in the moment. Being here, being back around the guys and being on the field competing is really nice. I’m not trying to overthink things.”

It was Holliday’s first home run since July 15, ending a string of 75 at-bats without a homer.

“He’s one of the best hitters of our generation,” Chase Headley told MLB.com of Holliday. “He was a big part of why we were so successful early on. He’s a middleof-the-order hitter that can hit the ball out of the ballpark at any time, and we saw that. He extends our lineup.” Aaron Hicks’ latest injury depleted the outfield to the point that Ronald Torreyes, who had played five innings in the outfield in his career, was the backup. Hicks is on the disabled list because of a strained muscle in his side — this time on the left side instead of the right — for the second time this season.

Gary Sanchez’s suspension for his role in the Aug. 24 fight at the Detroit Tigers was reduced from four games to three. He began serving it Sept. 4.