NEW YORK – A century after Heinie Groh wielded his famed “bottle bat’’ with the 1920s New York Giants, a quintet of Yankees has made “torpedo’’ bats the talk of the town.
After battering the Milwaukee Brewers’ pitching staff for 15 homers and 36 runs during a season-opening three-game sweep, the Yankees’ lineup – torpedo and non-torpedo users – faced a greater challenge beginning Tuesday night.
Corbin Burnes and the Arizona Diamondbacks arrived at Yankee Stadium, with Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly set to follow in rotation.
Even on a frigid night, the Yanks still launched three homers, but Arizona’s five-run eighth inning led to a 7-5 comeback win – handing Aaron Boone’s club its first loss of 2025.
Yankees bullpen formula altered
Closer Devin Williams was absent Tuesday, placed on the paternity list, altering the Yankees’ bullpen formula.
With the Yanks leading 4-2 entering the eighth, Luke Weaver was reserved for a ninth inning save that never materialized.
After lefty Tim Hill gave up a run, Mark Leiter Jr. eventually surrendered a go-ahead grand slam to Eugenio Suarez, the reigning NL Player of the Week, now with five home runs.
“Just can’t walk those two guys,’’ Leiter Jr. said of one-out walks to Ketel Marte and Pavin Smith, loading the bases.
But Leiter Jr. rebounded to strike out Bronx villain (from his Cleveland days) Josh Naylor and he got to a 2-and-2 count on Suarez before he drove a flat splitter over the wall in left.
“Definitely disappointing,’’ said Leiter Jr. “I’ve got to make better pitches.’’
Will Warren's solid 2025 debut start
Making his first start of 2025, Will Warren was in position for his first MLB win, exiting with a 4-2 lead after five innings.
“That was big for me,’’ Warren said of getting through five, trying to assist a rotation missing Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt (now targeted to return by mid-April).
Warren issued two walks to start the fourth, but escaped damage by inducing a double play grounder from the dangerous Suarez.
Another good sign: After falling behind 2-and-0, Warren struck out Corbin Carroll with a good curveball to end the fifth, stranding a runner in scoring position.
Carroll’s two-out, two-run homer stung Warren in the third. After the rookie right-hander struck out Carroll in the fifth, he let out a shout, punctuated with a fist pump, after striking him out.
“I loved seeing the emotion out there,’’ said Ben Rice. “He’s got electric stuff and he showed he’s a competitor.’’
Warren had four walks and four strikeouts, but his improved curveball and changeup – with a more confident approach – is miles from his rough debut last year, with a ...
