The New York Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball, but even the top squads sometimes need help from unexpected players. That’s what utility man Pablo Reyes did in Thursday’s 1-0 win vs. the Kansas City Royals.
With stars like designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) and infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (groin) ailing with injuries and outfielder Aaron Judge taking an off day, the Yankees’ offense was quiet. However, Reyes got a spark going with a leadoff single to right field in the top of the eighth.
Judge then pinch-hit for infielder Oswald Peraza and struck out looking, but outfielder Trent Grisham moved Reyes to second on a groundout. Infielder Paul Goldschmidt reached on an infield single to first, and Reyes scored on a throwing error by Royals pitcher Lucas Erceg.
New York manager Aaron Boone opened up postgame about how the team reacted in the dugout after Reyes scored, via YES Network.
“Excited. Especially in that way, you get a rain delay, it’s a getaway night, to grab a run right there…Especially Pablo, you know, him starting it off,” he explained. “Leadoff hit, him coming around to score, I think we were all excited for him.”
Reyes is now slashing .194/.242/.226 with two RBI over 24 games this season.
Unfortunately for the 31-year-old, the glory may be short-lived, as he could lose his roster spot when Stanton returns from rehab, via NJ.com. The latter player is currently with Double-A Somerset, but Boone still isn’t sure when he’ll be back in the big leagues, via MLB.com.
The Yankees will continue their road trip against the Boston Red Sox on Friday.
