NEIL DIAMOND
Walker walk-off saves the day for Yankees
These Yankees sure have a flair for the dramatic. After they used a fifth-inning rally to erase a four-run deficit, Neil Walker delivered a two-out single in the 11th inning to cap a 7-6 victory over the A’s on Saturday in The Bronx, the Bombers’ fourth walk-off win of the year.
Time will tell how good these Yankees turn out to be, but so far, they certainly have a flare for the dramatic.
The Yankees celebrated their fourth walk-off win in a little over two weeks on Saturday, a 7-6 victory over Oakland in The Bronx, with Neil Walker providing the decisive blow.
Walker’s single to center off Chris Hatcher scored Gary Sanchez from second and helped the Yankees avoid losing a third straight game for the first time this season.
“It speaks to the resiliency in this room,” Walker said of their ability to come back and win with such frequency. “Not just the talent level, but the mindset. We’re never out of a game. No lead is too big to overcome.”
In this instance, the deficit was 6-2 when the Yankees scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game.
Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer to get the Yankees back in the game and RBI singles by Walker and Miguel Andujar tied it.
The bullpen followed with six scoreless — and hitless — innings, before the offense broke through again in the 11th.
Giancarlo Stanton drew a one-out walk and was forced out on Sanchez’s grounder before Aaron Hicks walked, setting up Walker’s winning hit.
Right-hander A.J. Cole, who hadn’t pitched since April 28, tossed two scoreless innings for the win.
“I know with our guys that we’re always a big swing or two from being right back into it,’’ manager Aaron Boone said. “I don’t know if you’re ever comfortable down four runs, but I know the guys are gonna keep on competing.”
They’re certainly comfortable in close games at home.
Sanchez was the first to hit a game-ender with a homer on April 26. Andujar followed on May 4 with a game-winning single. Two days later, Gleyber Torres’ blast ended another game and Walker finished Saturday’s 4-hour, 15-minute marathon with his biggest hit as a Yankee.
Walker has been in the middle of several of the team’s dramatic wins on this homestand, which has helped him overcome a slow start to the season after not signing with the Yankees until March 12.
The emergence of Torres could have made for an awkward situation for Walker, but he has thrived lately at first base.
“It’s easy to get caught up in numbers and how things are going,’’ Walker said. “The fact of the matter is I’ve played this game long time. Good things are on the horizon for me.”
The Yankees didn’t get to Walker’s game-winner without some drama.
Domingo German, who tossed six no-hit innings in his first major league start, gave up six runs in five innings on Saturday before the Yankees rallied.
After perfect innings by Jonathan Holder, Chad Green and Dellin Betances, Aroldis Chapman loaded the bases with no one out in the ninth. He struck out Mark Canha before pinchhitter Jonathan Lucroy flied to left, where Brett Gardner made the catch and threw home.
Matt Olson was called safe, but the Yankees challenged the play and it was overturned, ending the inning and preserving the tie.
“I thought he was safe,’’ Gardner said. “I knew I made a pretty good throw, but I just thought it was a little late from my angle. Once it went to replay, I was excited about that.” Two innings later, Walker ended it. “It’s a different guy [every time],” Judge said. “We just never know what’s gonna happen. You never know who’s gonna be the star of the game. I love seeing that. It’s been fun and it’s only May.”