Anthony Rizzo had been enjoying a torrid first week with the Yankees after being brought in before the trade deadline, but Joey Gallo had been having the opposite experience, at least in terms of results.
Gallo, the other big lefty bat the Yanks traded for to bring balance to their struggling lineup, entered Thursday night’s series opener against the Mariners with just two hits in 23 at-bats, while striking out 10 times. But that slow start was quickly washed away with a big night and a clutch home run to give the team its sixth win in its last seven games.
Trailing by one with two outs in the seventh, Gallo capitalized on the Yankees’ short porch in just the way the team envisioned when they brought him in, as Gallo lifted a towering fly ball that just cleared the right field wall for a three-run shot to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 5-3 lead.
“I was just hoping that it would stay fair and that it would get out,” Gallo said. “Once I saw it get out, I was overcome with emotion a little bit. It was such a big at-bat in a big moment. You could tell that could be a game-changing at-bat. I was happy I was able to come through and help the team win.
“I feel like there were a couple opportunities where I could have done that this week and I didn’t, so it felt pretty good to do that today.”
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Gallo, a die-hard Yankee fan growing up, finally got to enjoy a raucous Bronx crowd after coming through in a big spot, and he didn’t hide his emotions as he let out a big fist pump once the ball disappeared into the seats before coming out for a curtain call.
“I was thinking in the outfield, the 10-year-old me would be crying right now and not believing what’s going on,” Gallo said. “It’s really crazy. It’s something I have to take a step back from, and be like ‘I’m at Yankee Stadium getting a curtain call from Yankees fans.’ It’s pretty crazy to me. It’s just an honor to play for this organization and help the team win.”
Gallo finished the night 3-for-4, all extra-base hits, and two runs scored. It was a breakout game he had been waiting to enjoy while representing his childhood team, and he was able to do it in pinstripes at Yankee Stadium, where fans are notoriously impatient when it comes to big names putting up big numbers. But despite his slow start, the house was cheering for Gallo on Thursday.
“I don’t really feel or see any of the demanding stuff, at least I didn’t, and they’ve been pretty nice to me so far in Yankee Stadium, so I appreciate that,” Gallo said. “For me, it’s more about in the clubhouse and my teammates and coaches, they’ve been outstanding. I couldn’t ask for a better team to come play for. I feel like I’ve been here for years already, the way they trust in me and believe in me…I know I didn’t have a great first week, but they’re gonna put me out there and let me keep playing. So I have to appreciate that.”
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