The Yankees left Tropicana Field on Thursday night with their first series win on that turf since May of 2019, and with all that has gone on in the team’s clubhouse since they arrived in Tampa, the victory feels even bigger.
Eight positive COVID-19 tests, including one to shortstop Gleyber Torres, emergency coaching switches and consistent uncertainty around playing all stood in the way of the Yanks’ already challenging obstacle in the Rays, but despite more offensive struggles at the Trop, the team was able to overcome an ever-growing list of obstacles to grab a crucial series win.
“‘A lot has been going’ on is very accurate,” Giancarlo Stanton said. “It’s good to be able to lock it in for two out of three and get a series win.”
The past three nights have been a challenge for the Yankees, who have had to deal with plenty of unexpected issues internally while also trying to figure out a Rays team that has had their number over the past two years.
“Instead of how we’re going to prepare for the game, it’s more ‘who’s available? Are we going to have a first base or third base coach, are we going to have enough players off the bench?’” Stanton said. “Just scrambling to get a squad out there.”
The Yankees were without their first and third base coaches as well as pitching coach Matt Blake, and by Wednesday night, had lost Torres, all of whom were forced to quarantine. Then other injuries arose, with Aaron Hicks being forced to sit in the series finale with wrist soreness after driving in the game’s only run on Wednesday. Between all of the sudden absences, there was also the decision whether the games would even be played or not, which the team voted on as the outbreak of breakthrough cases began. But the team found solace on the field, and even turned in some favorable results as they continued their climb up the AL East standings.
“It’s interesting times, as the past year or so has been,” Stanton said. “Just have to try and keep tunnel vision when you’re out there. There’s still going to be a game and a lot of factors go into every day. You just have to be able to cope.”
The Yanks were able to keep that focus through a wild week in Tampa, where it’s normally hard to pull off any wins in the first place. A series win at Tropicana Field would have felt like a big victory even under normal circumstances. Given what went on during the entirety of the team’s visit, it feels even bigger.
“It was a crazy few days,” DJ LeMahieu said. “With all the COVID stuff going on and we didn’t know if we were going to play or who was going to be available. But through all that I think we stayed focused. In that respect, we’re ready to get on to Baltimore.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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