Anthony Volpe finally gave the Yankees — and himself — a much-needed spark.
After extending his hitless streak to 25 at-bats with a strikeout in the second inning Saturday, the Yankees shortstop broke through in the most satisfying way: a three-hit performance in a dominant 9-0 win over the Orioles.
It started with a fortunate slow roller down the third base line in the third inning. Then came the highlight — a solo opposite-field home run, just inside the right-field foul pole, to lead off the fifth. Volpe added a flare single to right-center in the sixth to help fuel another Yankees run.
It was his first three-hit game in nearly a month. “It always is a timing thing,” Volpe said postgame. “The biggest part is being able to trust yourself.”
The home run, a 101 mph rocket off Andrew Kittredge, was Volpe’s hardest-hit ball in a week and a clear sign that his timing might be returning. Manager Aaron Boone noted his early at-bats looked “a little late,” but praised the opposite-field blast as a turning point.
“He did a good job slowing down and getting himself on time,” Boone said. “The homer was outstanding — the entire at-bat was really good. Hopefully, it settles him.”
Volpe, 23, has shown flashes of all-fields power but has struggled with consistency, often getting caught chasing or grounding out weakly to the left side. Saturday, he looked more like the dynamic hitter the Yankees believe in.
Ironically, Volpe’s breakout came just a day after Boone hinted at giving him a rest on Sunday against right-hander Dean Kremer. After the game, Boone said “we’ll see,” but Volpe later confirmed the skipper told him he would indeed sit — a planned break during a grueling 16-game stretch. “It’ll be easier to take a day now that I’m back in the hit column,” Volpe said with a grin.
With the Yankees looking to stay hot, a resurgent Volpe could be exactly what they need.