The Yankees won their final home game of the season and took a series from the Arizona Diamondbacks yesterday. The Diamondbacks are in a battle for a Wild Card spot so, the games this weekend were very important to them.
It was a cold, dreary, rainy day but, the Yankees provided some brightness by coming back to win the game and with their young players having strong offensive days. There was reason for optimism yesterday, which will hopefully carry into next season.
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Quick Stats -
Over his last five appearances, Greg Weissert has allowed just one earned run over 7.1 innings, good for a 1.23 ERA.
Corbin Carroll stole his 51st base of the year yesterday. The Yankees have 77 as a team for the season. There was some talk that they were going to make the stolen base more of a weapon this year. They really need to concentrate on that next season.
The Yankees finished 42-39 at home this season, which was their 32nd consecutive year of having a winning record at home.
The Yankees are 79-77 with 6 games left in the season. To avoid their first losing season in 30 years, they need to win at least two games the rest of the way. Considering that three of those games are against the Royals, I like their chances.
Before the game, Tommy Kahnle was placed on the IL for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
On September 25th, 2014, Derek Jeter played the final home game of his career, driving in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning in a 6-5 victory over the Orioles.
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Big Story -
The Yankees closed out their home schedule with a win against the playoff contending Arizona Diamondbacks yesterday. Austin Wells and Oswald Peraza hit home runs. Peraza's was a 443-ft blast off Ryan Thompson, who has dominated right-handed hitters this season. It was good to see positive performances from Wells, Peraza, and Everson Pereira, who had two hits including a double.
Player of the Day -
Austin Wells had two hits, including a two-run home run.
Notable Performances -
Oswald Peraza had a home run and a bases-loaded walk and drove in two runs.
Everson Pereira, Gleyber Torres, and DJ LeMahieu each had two hits.
Better to Forget-
Nick Ramirez had a shaky relief outing.
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My Take -
Yesterday, Aaron Boone stated that he does not know if he will be invited back to continue as the Yankees' manager next season. He said the decision is out of his hands. Well, thank goodness for that. He has made enough bad decisions this year and in the past. We don't need him to make another one. I think it is somewhat telling that the Yankees have not given him the proverbial vote of confidence. Hal Steinbrenner has given one to Brian Cashman, after all.
Whether we agree with Steinbrenner's decision to retain Cashman or not, it's very clear that he will be back. I suspect that Boone will not return. That may simply be wishful thinking on my part, but it is obvious that changes need to be made. The Yankees will be a different looking team than they were for them bulk of this season. Hopefully several of the young players who are now getting auditions will play regularly next season. Of note, Oswald Peraza is hitting .290 in his last 18 games.
Aaron Boone has not demonstrated an ability to develop young players during his tenure as manager. Enough is enough. He has managed just well enough to be eliminated every season. He has never made it to the World Series, and there is no reason to suspect that he will. He finds different ways to be ineffective and come up short every season. From the middle of last season through the end of this season, Boone has not done a good job at all. He needs to go. For those people who think he should be given yet another chance, I would simply ask why? What would be different in his 7th year from the previous six? It is time for someone else to run the team.
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Next Up -
Tonight, the Yankees will open a three-game series of the season against the Blue Jays in Toronto at 7:07 p.m. Michael King (4-7 2.66 ERA) will face Toronto's Kevin Gausman (12-9 3.29 ERA).
