NEW YORK – Over these raw-and-rainy early spring days, the Yankees’ lineup has gone cold for long stretches.
And except for Max Fried, the Yanks’ starting rotation has been a worrisome area – with news Saturday of Marcus Stroman’s knee injury adding a new layer of concern.
On a cold-and-drizzly Saturday afternoon, the Yankees at least combined an encouraging Will Warren start with a big, five-run fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants.
“I was just excited to contribute to the W,’’ said Cody Bellinger, whose triple and two RBI – amid a personal 3-for-21 slide - helped push the Yankees toward an 8-4 win at Yankee Stadium.
Will Warren's first 'W'
In his eighth career MLB start, his third this season, Warren registered his first career win.
“Been waiting a while to get that one. That’s what makes this one even sweeter,’’ said Warren, who lasted five innings and yielded two runs – on a two-run homer in the second by Wilmer Flores, who drove in all four Giants runs.
Being able to “attack the zone early and execute’’ with a better mix of sliders, sinkers and four-seam fastballs was key, as he struck out six batters.
“Couple situations where he really had to make a pitch, he did,’’ said manager Aaron Boone, who saw “more life with his sinker’’ and better command overall.
“For the most part, (he was) dictating counts,’’ Boone said of Warren, whose wife and family were in the stands, having flown to New York on Saturday morning.
Yankees' lineup comes alive
It’d been a week since the Yanks’ lineup showed this kind of spark, in last Saturday’s 10-4 win at Pittsburgh.
After a tough week that included a bout with food poisoning and back soreness, costing him three games, Bellinger’s RBI triple off the left-center field wall came during a two-run first inning.
But in the fifth, the Yanks broke open a 2-2 game against starter Jordan Hicks, who did not retire any of the five batters he faced.
Later in the inning, switch-hitter Jasson Dominguez snapped an 0-for-15 when he tacked on a two-run single against right-handed reliever Randy Rodriguez.
Off to a 1-for-20 start as a right-handed hitter, Dominguez is still at risk of being benched against lefty starters but Saturday’s 2-for-4 day with two RBI (as a lefty hitter) at least changed some of the recent dreary narrative.
“It’s 15 degrees outside the last week, these guys can bang,’’ Boone said of his lineup overall. “I just felt it was more good at-bats from a lot of people.’’
Ben Rice takes to the leadoff spot
