Yorvit Vivas, a name perhaps not widely recognized, made quite an impact during the subway series. In a pivotal moment, he battled through an 11-pitch at-bat in the eighth inning, leading to a crucial error from Pete Alonso. This opened the door for Cody Bellinger to hit a grand slam, securing an 8-2 victory for the Yankees against the Mets on Sunday night.
Vivas stepped in defensively at the top of the frame, having entered the game after Benry Spinch was replaced by starter Oswald Peraza.
With two runners on base in a tied game, Mets pitcher Ryne Stanek delivered some intense throws. Vivas was able to work the count to six pitches, showing impressive discipline as he fouled off several. He even made contact with Alonso during the at-bat.
Bellinger, who racked up six RBIs that night, credited Vivas with winning the game, saying, “100% won that game.”
Remarkably, Stanek’s pitch to Vivas clocked in at over 99.4 mph, including five pitches that exceeded 100 mph.
Aaron Boone, the Yankees’ manager, praised Vivas, noting he saw adjustments in his approach during the at-bat. “I could see him settling down a bit, making great takes and fights,” Boone commented, reflecting on Vivas’s performance.
Vivas, just 24, was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 2nd after Jazz Chisholm Jr. went on the injured list. He made his major league debut against the Rays, where he managed two walks in three plate appearances.
Despite hitting only .167 across 15 games since his promotion, his contributions in this metro series have certainly made a mark. His name now joins the ranks of significant players in this storied rivalry.
Vivas shared his excitement through a translator, expressing his intent to simply play ball and contribute to the team. “He throws 100 miles (per hour), so I just wanted to focus and help my team,” he said, reflecting on the intensity of the series.
