Giancarlo Stanton drove in three runs in his first game back from an Achilles injury that had sidelined him since July 23, picking up a two-run single and a bases-loaded walk in Thursday night’s blowout win over the lowly A’s.
His return also seemed to ignite the rest of the offense, which teed off for 10 runs through the first four innings in a laugher to kick off their west coast swing.
Most importantly for the Yanks, Stanton came out feeling strong after more than a month away.
“I felt pretty good,” Stanton said. “Pretty happy with my at-bats. I was in and out of my timing a little bit pitch by pitch, which was kind of expected, but I feel like I did a decent job of making adjustments mid at-bat.
“The timing is the most difficult part, but I have to do extra drills before the game and while I’m down to keep my timing and make sure it’s not too much of an adjustment period coming back.”
Stanton’s presence alone seemed to help the rest of the offense, which hung a four spot in back-to-back innings in an offensive outburst that the lineup had been starving for this entire month.
“Any boost I can give is huge,” Stanton said. “I’m glad that I can. It just helps the dynamic of the lineup a bit. Just glad to be back.
“It sucked [to be out]. But just gotta accept the situation I’m in and don’t be pouting or down every day, just try to get back as soon as possible, and now I’m here.”
Stanton was the Yankees’ DH on Thursday, and he expects to be back in the lineup on Friday. But he will still take a little longer before getting back in the outfield.
“Step by step,” Stanton said. “Just to get my bat in there and go from there.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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