With the series leveled 1-1, the New York Yankees arrived at the Yankees stadium for the crucial game three against the mighty Tampa Bay Rays. With their back stacked against the wall, the Bronx Bombers displayed true character to clinch a thrilling 9-8 victory to take a commanding lead over the four-game series.
Anthony Volpe, the Yankee’s newest shortstop, played a huge role in the series. He got dropped from the leadoff spot ahead of the series, but that did affect his spirits. Volpe scored a match-defining homer in the second game, which helped the team level the series. Moreover, the shortstop fed off of the momentum to score a rare run off a wild pitch which instilled his name in the club’s history books.
Anthony Volpe Creates New Yankee History
New York Yankees rookie Anthony Volpe has had a rollercoaster season so far. The shortstop has faced his fair share of struggles and also turned up for the team during crucial times. Ahead of the series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Bombers mysteriously dropped him from the leadoff spot and asked him to bat seventh down the order. For the rookie, the position did not matter as long as he got a space on the lineup. Volpe displayed that in the second game by pounding a home run while batting at seventh. Later in the third game, the shortstop left the team as well as the fans, completely awestruck by a stellar run.
The Yankees were trailing 6-0 in the sixth inning when Anthony Volpe scored a single to secure first base. Further, the shortstop went on to steal the second as well as the third base and somehow avoided getting out. Later, a wild pitch from Ryan Thompson opened up an opportunity for Volpe to get home. The move was indeed risky, but an electric Volpe stormed at the home base and completed a run by stealing all the bases. With that, Anthony Volpe became the only Yankee to steal the first 13 career bases without getting out. He surpassed Joe Dimaggio, who previously held the record by stealing 12 bases. Not only that, the crucial run helped the Yankees gain some momentum which eventually resulted in a 9-8 thumping win.
Yankees Fans Stumped By Yankees Uncanny Batting Order
For the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Yankees announced an unusual batting lineup. They promoted outfielder Jake Bauers to an unfamiliar leadoff spot which baffled the fans. The agitated fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment over the team’s gamble move in a crucial game. Earlier, Anthony Volpe held the top spot on the lineup before getting dropped ahead of the series.
Jake Bauers arrived a few weeks ago from the minors as a replacement for an injured Aaron Judge. While Judge returned, Jake managed to keep his place on the roster owing to stellar plays on the field. Regardless, promoting him to leadoff was a bold move that could have backfired badly for the Yankees. Fortunately, the outfielder was able to contribute with one run in three at-bats.
