Yankees walk it off again, prospects showing promising signs

Tyler Austin was the hero this time, as he belted a walk-off home run in the ninth inning to lift the Yankees over the Braves, 5-4.

With one out, a 2-0 count and the tying run on first, Tyler Austin took a hearty cut at a ball left up in his zone. The ball ended up over the center field fence, as Austin trotted the bases to victory. The comeback win gives the Yankees a 7-1 Spring Training record, and their second walk-off thus far.

Masahiro Tanaka got the start and dug the Yanks into a quick 4-0 hole in the 1.1 innings he pitched. The first three runs given up could have potentially been avoided, as they all came with two outs in the inning. A ground rule double followed by a two-run blast gave the Braves an immediate 3-0 lead.

A pair of doubles in the second inning plated the Braves’ fourth run and signaled the end of Tanaka’s Spring Training debut. Definitely not how he would like to start, but Tanaka still has a whole month to figure it out before Opening Day.

The reinforcements came in and pitched 7.2 innings of clean baseball. Among those pitchers, Jordan Montgomery pitched three innings, giving up two hits and striking out five. The relievers collectively gave up five hits for the rest of the game, and all pitchers involved looked sharp.

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Offensively, Miguel Andujar put up another great showing, going 1-for-3 with a two-RBI double that opened up the scoring in the fourth inning. Not enough can be said about the rapid start Andujar has experienced thus far. It’s fun to watch Andy’s at-bats because he viciously attacks the ball when he wants, and aggressively takes the ones he doesn’t.

Giancarlo Stanton stayed hot, lacing two doubles and finishing the game 2-for-3. Didi Gregorius had an excellent game as well, going 3-for-3 with an RBI in the fifth inning that cut into the Braves’ lead at the time. Other than that, Tyler Wade finished the game 1-for-3 with a walk.

Russell Wilson pinch hit for Aaron Judge in the bottom of the fifth inning, which was a sweet treat for the fans and viewers. Although his at-bat ended in a strikeout, it was a valiant effort and something that you will only see in Spring Training.

What I got from this game is that Austin and Andujar continue to make noise in camp, and soon the Yankees will have no choice but to give them a spot on the 25-man roster.

I get that it’s only Spring Training, but it is such a great thing as a fan to watch these players perform as they should. It gets me even more pumped for the start of the season!

Next: Happy 23rd birthday, Miguel Andujar!

Next up, the Yankees take on the Red Sox in Fort Meyers. Stanton and Aaron Judge will not travel, as Chance Adams looks to bounce back as he gets the ball.