George Lombard Jr. and Luis Garcia Jr. save the…
In summoning George Lombard Jr., the Yankees knew he may play protection.
In trading for Luis García Jr., the Yankees knew he may hit right-handed pitching and in all probability thought of the rest a nice shock.
And so in Friday’s tenth inning, the Yankees had been validated and pleasantly shocked, respectively, as both newcomers to The Bronx made glowing performs to save what grew to become a comeback, 3-2 victory over the Braves.
It was a sport they in all probability don’t win without Lombard, who began a rally in the ninth with an infield single in which he superior all the means to third on an error, drew a key stroll in the backside of the tenth and confirmed off one other defensive strength in the top of the inning: a cannon of an arm.
New York Yankees first baseman Luis García Jr. (26) makes a catch to end the tenth inning in a series-opening win over the Braves. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
Leading off the further body, Atlanta’s Sean Murphy hit a exhausting ground ball into the shortstop gap, which is where Lombard has starred in his transient time in the majors. The rookie ranged, backhanded and left his ft — a small leap, if not a Jeterian one — and confirmed off an arm whose energy is apparent.
“He’s able to — just with ease, whether he’s off-balance — no-sweat some plays because he’s physical and strong,” supervisor Aaron Boone said of his new on a regular basis, 21-year-old shortstop. “He’s not even reaching for much there, and he makes that play kind of easy.”
After a ground out introduced ghost runner Austin Riley to third, Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a two-out bloop down the first-base line. Three Yankees defenders converged on a flare that appeared to be despatched into no-man’s land.
New York Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. (96) fields the ball during the ninth inning. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
“To be honest,” García said through interpreter Marlon Abreu, “I didn’t think I had a chance.”
And yet the first baseman sprinted, prolonged and caught out his glove. His best Willie Mays impression ended with catching the third out of the body with his back to home plate.
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“What a play,” Boone said after a sport that was clinched by Ryan McMahon’s sacrifice fly but can be better remembered for defensive excellence, which also included Trent Grisham’s strong throw to third base in the first inning that saved a run.
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