Yankees manager Aaron Boone said catcher Gary Sanchez needed one pitch to break out of his slump.
Sanchez found that pitch in the sixth inning during Game 4 of the AL Championship series. The 26-year-old connected on Houston's Josh James' fastball for his first home run of the 2019 postseason. The two-run home run traveled 403 feet into the left field seats, according to Statcast, cutting Houston's lead to three.
Gary Sanchez with a 2-run BLAST!(#ALCS via @FS1) pic.twitter.com/clEKiS3G8m
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) October 18, 2019Fox Sports recorded Sanchez' hit had an exit velocity of 111 mph.
It was a direly needed at-bat for Sanchez after he previously struck out with the bases loaded on three pitches.
Sanchez entered Thursday 2-for-21 and ten strikeouts at the plate. He last recorded a hit during the Yankees' Game 1 win, but hadn't found luck when he faced Justin Verlander or Gerrit Cole. The Astros' Zack Greinke kept Sanchez silent as well, but Houston's bullpen couldn't contain the two-time All Star.
Sanchez' home run put life back into Yankee Stadium. Houston's Carlos Correa launched a three-run home run at the top of the sixth inning as the Astros took a commanding 6-1 lead en route to their 8-3 on Thursday night.
