Austin Wells finally broke out of his offensive slump by hitting a home run and driving in three runs but the Yankees could not capitalize as they fell to the Detroit Tigers, 11-5, on Thursday night.
Here are the takeaways …
– Wells started at catcher and showed why his offensive ceiling is so high. In his first at-bat, the backstop lined a ground-rule double down the right-field line with the bases loaded to drive in two.
In his second at-bat, Wells took advantage of another bad breaking ball from starter Jack Flaherty when he launched it 361 feet over the right field wall for a solo shot.
He also stole third base, showing another aspect of his offensive ability. Wells finished 2-for-3 with a strikeout.
Wells came into Thursday’s game going 2-for-13, so the Yankees hope their young catcher can get it going at the plate moving forward.
– Giancarlo Stanton played right field and he had some iffy plays out there. Stanton almost ran into the wall in foul territory trying to catch a fly ball and had to stretch for another one in deep right field.
At the plate, he went 0-for-2 with a walk and run scored. He also struck out once. In five spring training games, the slugger is 1-for-15 with three strikeouts.
– The big news before Thursday’s game was Oswald Peraza‘s shoulder discomfort returning. While the Yankees will do some imaging on Peraza’s shoulder, the other infield options must step up if they want to claim a roster spot.
Oswaldo Cabrera got the start at second and went 0-for-3. However, he tried to cut off a throw from the outfield that he muffed, which allowed a run to score.
Jorbit Vivas came to relieve Cabrera later in the game and with runners on first and third and two outs, the prospect worked a walk after being down 1-2 in the count.
– Luke Weaver got the start Thursday and was not as effective as he’s been. The righty lasted just 1.2 innings (43 pitches) giving up three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two.
Weaver’s length was limited thanks to a 12-pitch at-bat in the first inning against Gio Urshela. He also was a hard-luck pitcher, giving up bloops. So far, in three games (one start), Weaver has pitched 5.1 innings and given up four runs.
While he won’t be in the starting rotation, he’ll likely win a spot in the bullpen as the “long guy.”
– Other bullpen arms like Caleb Fergusson (1 IP, 1 K), Victor Gonzalez (1 IP, 2 K) and Ian Hamilton (2 IP, 5 K) all dominated their appearances. However, Gonzalez did make a throwing error trying to pick off a runner at second, but Cabrera’s error allowed them to score.
Most of the Tigers’ damage came in the seventh when LHP Anthony Misiewicz gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits in 0.2 innings pitched.
Highlights
Upcoming schedule
The Yankees travel on Friday to take on the Toronto Blue Jays. First pitch is set for 1:07 p.m.
Marcus Stroman is on the mound for the Yankees, who will go up against Chris Bassitt.
