Aaron Boone kept Austin Wells in the cleanup spot despite the young catcher's slump late in the season, and Wells hit the game-tying hit in the bottom of the sixth inning of a 6-5 win, hitting the post for the first time in his career. Won the season game. They defeated the Royals in Game 1 of the ALDS in the Bronx.
In the bottom of the 1st inning, with one out and 2nd base on 2nd and 3rd base, Wells was unable to bat, and after flying out to end the 3rd inning, Wells issued a walk to extend the 5th inning, during which the Yankees scored 2 runs. was recorded.
The sixth inning began with Alex Verdugo's leadoff walk, and Juan Soto advanced to second base with a one-out double.
After Aaron Judge had his second big strikeout of the night, Wells came up and hit left-hander Sam Long with a well-timed hit that gave Verdugo the tying run.
On Friday, Boone talked about why he chose to put Wells in the No. 4 spot behind Soto and Judge instead of putting an experienced hitter like Giancarlo Stanton there.
“I feel like I'm just inside [that] “It's a little shocking, but I feel like we're looking at a real mature hitter,” Boone said of Wells, who finished the regular season with a 4-for-48 record in his final 15 games.
“I thought he swung the bat well all week,” Boone said ahead of the ALDS game. “I think the week off probably helped him. I feel like he had some good live at-bats this week. [And] I have a lot of confidence in the presence he brings there. ”
Wells has impressed for most of the season, even when he's struggled, with long, tough at-bats.
As a result, his performance sometimes suffered, but he usually did not make it easy for opposing pitchers.
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He swung on the first two pitches he saw Saturday, then gave up a walk to left-hander Angel Zerna, but he couldn't find the strike zone for the third consecutive batter and allowed a hit to Soto. did. The judge walked.
Wells struggled at the plate in the eighth inning as well, reaching a three-ball count before drawing a walk in the eighth inning.
He also thrived behind the plate on nights when Gerrit Cole couldn't do anything.
The speedy Royals did not attempt to steal bases.
