As Johnny Damon’s stock continues to sink, the Yankees saw more evidence yesterday that Melky Cabrera is maybe their long-term answer in center field.
A day after striking out five times to tie a franchise record, Cabrera seemed unfazed, getting a first-inning single against the Angels and finishing without a strikeout in five plate appearances.
“[People] had questions about how do you think Cabrera will come back after striking out five times?” Joe Torre said after the Yankees beat the Angels 12-0. “I think he answered that quickly. He’s a special kid.”
Cabrera began the Yankees’ rally in the first inning with a single to left-center and scored on Alex Rodriguez’s RBI single. Cabrera also had a sacrifice bunt in the fourth inning, moving runners to second and third before A-Rod launched a three-run homer.
Previously, the only position players to strike out five times in a game for the Yankees were Andy Phillips (May 2, 2005), Bernie Williams (Aug. 21, 1991) and Johnny Broaca (June 25, 1923).
Cabrera is among the hot Yankees, going 15-for-37 (.405) in July with a homer and seven RBIs.
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Wil Nieves had some experience playing first base in the minor leagues and winter ball, but had never appeared at the position in a major league game until the ninth inning yesterday. The move allowed Torre to give Alex Rodriguez an early break as Andy Phillips moved from first to third base. Miguel Cairo was already in the game at shortstop.
Nieves said he always keeps a first baseman’s mitt handy in case he’s needed at the position.
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The Yankees have carried 13 pitchers recently, but Torre expects that to change after the All-Star break, with another position player added.
“We would like to give ourselves a little extra flexibility on the bench,” said Torre, whose reserve players yesterday were Cairo, Nieves and Kevin Thompson.
Torre indicated he’d like to add another utility player – Chris Basak is a possibility to be recalled from Triple-A Scranton.
“Whether it’s [Basak] or not remains to be seen or if we make a deal in the interim,” Torre said. “But we don’t know if that’s going to happen.”
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As someone who won three home-run titles playing in Japan, Hideki Matsui can appreciate the first half A-Rod had. Rodriguez reached the All-Star break with 30 homers, the first Yankees player to accomplish that feat since Roger Maris (33) in 1961.
“It’s not easy,” Matsui said. “The more [homers] he hits, the opponent is going to be more cautious. To be able to perform like that in the midst of all of that has been nothing less than amazing.”