This 12 months has principally been a wrestle for Austin Wells, who started to reside as much as his promise final season earlier than falling within the latter a part of the 12 months.
And even on an evening when the catcher had maybe his most efficient night time of the 12 months, it resulted in disappointment in a 10-7 loss to Boston.
After Wells stored the Yankees within the sport with a three-run homer and an RBI double off robust left-hander Garrett Crochet earlier within the sport, the lefty-swinging Wells got here up quick with an opportunity to tie it within the backside of the eighth, when he struck out towards former Yankee southpaw Justin Wilson, stranding pinch runner Anthony Volpe at second base to finish the inning.
Nonetheless, perhaps his success towards Crochet will spark the lefty-swinging catcher.
“I count on a lot of him offensively and suppose a lot of him offensively,” Aaron Boone mentioned. “He’s able to that proper there towards the easiest left-on-left.”
Wells gave the Yankees their lone lead of the night time with a three-run blast off Crochet — who had allowed only one homer to a left-handed hitter all season previous to Saturday night time.
However Wells couldn’t coerce one other stable begin from Ryan Yarbrough, who has been a surprisingly robust revelation since arriving in spring coaching after opting out of his take care of the Blue Jays in March.
After Yarbrough was knocked round for 5 runs within the high of the third and two extra within the fourth, Wells tried to get the Yankees again within the sport within the backside of the fourth, this time with a booming double the opposite technique to left-center.
It got here once more off Crochet, who had additionally given up just one double to lefties all 12 months.
“I obtained two pitches to deal with,’’ mentioned Wells, who’s hitting the ball tougher than he has beforehand in his profession, however doesn’t have loads to indicate for it.
Though he has 10 homers, his common has hovered barely above .200 for a lot of the season.
With Carlos Narváez on the town with the Crimson Sox after being traded by the Yankees within the offseason and off to a begin that has put him within the dialog for the American League All-Star group, Wells’ shaky offensive output has been highlighted extra of late.
The Yankees are steadfast of their perception that Wells will reside as much as his potential on offense, as he has continued to impress behind the plate.
“Hopefully it’s these little issues that form of get him rolling to the place he will get sizzling,’’ Boone mentioned of Wells’ at-bats on Saturday.
