As Marcus Stroman put it, the Yankees’ offense is “in great form.”
And even in a game where Aaron Judge and Juan Soto couldn’t get a hit, the Yankees scored at least five runs and beat Minnesota 8-5 for the seventh straight game, a season-high.
Gleyber Torres, Austin Wells and Trent Grisham, who had struggled this season, each contributed to the win.
Torres hit a two-run double, Wells had two runs and an RBI, and the lesser-played Grisham had a home run and three RBI.
For Torres, it was a continuation of his recent good form.
“We’re starting to see more traction [at the plate] “He’s slowly picking up steam in May,” manager Aaron Boone said before the game. “He’s really starting to get into shape.”
Torres’ power remains elusive, but he has five extra-base hits in his last 11 games and a .875 OPS, including an .847 OPS in his last 22 games.
“I’ve been doing better at the plate, but I know I’m not doing what I’m capable of doing,” Torres said.
And Torres is nowhere near where he was last year, with a career-worst strikeout rate of 24 percent (14.6 percent last year).
“He started to get better, he started to drive the ball, [having] “He’s going to have a multi-hit game,” Boone said. “He’s a very good hitter.”
Stroman was in the midst of a hot streak until Thursday, when he gave up a season-high five runs in just 4 2/3 innings.
This ended a franchise record of 22 consecutive games in which a starting pitcher allowed three runs or less.
The right-hander has given up just three runs in 26 2/3 innings with a 1.01 ERA through his four starts so far and said he has struggled with feel.
“It’s hard to start every race feeling perfect,” Stroman said. “I’m always going to compete.”
Even before Soto left Thursday’s game with a sore left forearm, Boone said he wanted to give Soto and Aaron Judge time to rest during a 13-game stretch without a rest day.
“We’ll continue to be careful during this time,” Boone said of his star players’ playing time, saying he hopes they’ll play some games as designated hitters.
Grisham was making his 15th start of the season and was just two hits in 39 at-bats, going hitless in 19 at-bats.
“Part of it is a lack of activity as an everyday player,” Boone said of Grisham’s dismal performance. “But that doesn’t mean he can’t go out there and do well. When you have the type of perseverance and power that he has, you can do well.”
Grisham then hit a home run and also hit a sacrifice fly.
Anthony Rizzo was hit by a foul ball in his right knee in the third inning. He was treated by a trainer and remained in the game. … DJ LeMahieu did not play after playing two consecutive days. He said he felt fine, but has just four hits in 22 at-bats and six walks since returning from a broken foot. … The Yankees improved to 14-1 in the AL Central Division.
