Anthony Volpe, Harrison Bader lead Yankees past Athletics

Jun 11, 2023

NEW YORK – Harrison Bader's three-run homer was a wall scraper on Wednesday afternoon, whereas Anthony Volpe's first career grand slam traveled 419 feet.

In the Best Ball competition within the Yankees’ 11-3 win against the Oakland Athletics, the rookie shortstop took the prize.

"Not many people can take it out to dead center like that,’’ said Aaron Judge, the best kind of judge in such matters. "It was impressive.’’

Regardless of distance, Bader and Volpe combined to drive in seven runs as the Yankees (21-17) did what they were supposed to do: Pound the woeful Athletics (8-30) in a three-game sweep, outscoring them 28-10 to create some momentum ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays’ arrival.

"Just the way we’ve played this week, we’ve started trending toward better results,’’ said Volpe, on the eve of a four-game home series against the dominant AL East leaders.

Yes, this is still a Yankees club designed to blast its way to wins.

Against Oakland's subpar pitching, the Yanks belted nine home runs in three games after the sting of losing two of three one-run games last weekend at Tampa Bay.

But the Yankees are at their best when they mimic the Rays’ athleticism, speed, balance and power through the lineup.

Since his return from an oblique injury that kept him out of the Yankees’ first 30 games, Bader has been a catalyst – in the middle of the order.

"He's a sparkplug…he brings that energy,’’ Judge said of Bader, batting .429 (12-for-28) with two triples, three homers and 11 RBI in his first eight games off the injured list.

Volpe followed Tuesday's triple with Wednesday's slam off Rico Garcia, highlighting a seven-run fifth and finally finding the other side of the wall after several recent long drives.

Batting .205 out of the leadoff spot, Volpe has "been hitting the ball hard,’’ said Judge. "The (batting) average you see up there isn't right.

"Great approach, a little unlucky.’’

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Again, it's not the homers but the relentless energy, approach and consistent defense that ought to excite the Yankees about the 22-year-old from Watchung, N.J., and the 28-year-old center fielder from Bronxville, N.Y.

Volpe and Bader have played eight games together, and the Yankees have won six of them.

"He has poise,’’ Bader said of Volpe already having the composure of the some of the game's better players.

"(Volpe) separates the game really well. He's certainly snapping his swing off,’’ said Bader. "And regardless of the result, he's going out there and playing defense, which is the most important thing.

"Because pitching and defense will win you a championship, there's no doubt.’’

And at least Volpe won't have to endure what his idol Derek Jeter did, going 155 plate appearances with the bases loaded before checking off that first career grand slam box.

The Captain hit his one and only grand slam in 2005, his 11th year in the majors.

Volpe did it in his fourth time up with the bases loaded, in his 38th big league game.

It hasn't been all roses for Volpe, but "that's one of the reasons why we took him with us,’’ said manager Aaron Boone. ‘We know he's equipped to handle all that.

"And he embraces that and enjoys that. He appreciates and respects how difficult this game is, but he also plays this game with a lot of confidence too.’’

At Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, Luis Severino (strained lat) tossed 3.1 innings (49 pitches) and yielded one run, a solo homer, in his first minor league rehab start since being placed on the IL in March.

"I thought he looked really, really good,'' said Boone, who caught some of Severino's work on video. Severino will make at least one more rehab start before a decision is made on slotting him into the Yanks' rotation.

After exiting Tuesday night's game due to tightness in his left hip, Aaron Hicks was available Wednesday afternoon if an emergency situation, according to Boone. The switch-hitting outfielder's status remains day-to-day.

Called up to replace Greg Weissert on Wednesday, Deivi Garcia pitched the final three innings (yielding one run, on a homer) and was optioned back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after the game.

Jimmy Cordero (1.2 innings) followed starter Jhonny Brito (4.1 innings, two runs, two homers yielded), enabling the Yankees to rest their high leverage relievers ahead of the four-game set against Tampa Bay.