The Yankees have been relying on unlikely heroes or offensive sparks since returning from the All-Star break. With COVID-19 and injuries depleting the starting lineup, the team has leaned on the likes of Greg Allen, Estevan Florial and the red-hot Rougned Odor to lead the offense.
On Wednesday night, it was Ryan LaMarre joining the list of Yankee replacements to come through in a big spot.
Recently recalled following a season-ending injury to Tim Locastro, LaMarre came up as a pinch hitter for Brett Gardner in the bottom of the 10th to face Phillies southpaw Ranger Suarez, and lifted a single over the head of Brad Miller in right field for a walk-off base hit to give the Yanks their fourth win in a row, all of them coming after the likes of Aaron Judge, Gio Urshela and Luke Voit were lost due to COVID or injury.
“I figured he’d try to crowd us a little bit, and when I saw they brought the infield in, I was just looking for something out over the plate,” LaMarre said. “I know he’s got a sinker and a changeup, so I was just looking for something to lift into the outfield, and I was fortunate enough to find a pitch to do it on.”
LaMarre, not in the starting lineup, had his jersey buttoned up and ready to go by 5:30 on Wednesday, which prompted some teasing from Gardner. But after Gardner and the rest of the Yankees mobbed him at first base following his game-winning hit, the jersey was no longer wearable.
“I tried to button it back up for the interview, but there were no buttons to be found,” LaMaree said. “That jersey, I don’t think it’s coming back.”
The Yankee regulars will eventually come back, but until then, LaMarre represents a group of backups making the most of their current opportunity. On Tuesday night, it was Florial hitting his first big league home run, while the speedy Allen added a triple and a stolen base. The unlikely heroes have the Yankees riding a winning streak heading into Boston with a chance to jump right back into the divisional race. LaMarre is just the latest example of a longtime struggling major leaguer finding a spurt of success at the right time.
“He’s got experience and he’s a pro,” Aaron Boone said. “He’s thrilled to be here, his work is terrific, he’s prepared for all kinds of situations…I love the aggression. You know what you’re looking for…got a pitch out and over the plate that he could get up in the air. Really pro job of hitting in that spot.”
LaMarre and the others will likely find themselves in similar spots in games to come, and whenever that spot comes, they’ll be ready, knowing their time may be limited.
“Guys in our roles that get to come up, all you look for is a chance to contribute,” LaMarre said. “If it happens to be in a big moment, then it’s a big moment, but we’re just trying to put the work in an keep plugging along and contribute any way we can.”
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