Yankees outfielder Álex Verdugo credits his personal chef for his resurgence at the start of the divisional round, in which he was key to the Yankees’ first victory over the Royals
NEW YORK — Alex Verdugo with felt a little overcooked this seasonso contract of a chef personal.
Revitalized for his new chefVerdugo connected and simple what broke he draw in the seventh episode and except at least one carrera with a trapped sliding down the left field line to boost to the New York Yankees to the victoria 6-5 over the Kansas City Royals in the first game of their American League Division Series.
Verdugo gave some recognition to his nutrition.
Editorial Selections
2 Related
“It has made me feel much better, with more energy during the day and recovering a little more, with less lethargy,” he said.
New York won the first postseason game with five lead changes, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, behind Verdugo’s bat and glove.
In his first playoffs since the Yankees acquired him from the Boston Red Sox, the expressive 28-year-old outfielder hit .266 through June 14, but had a dramatic turnaround that coincided with the start of the Yankees’ slide to a 39 mark. -38.
Verdugo hit .197 from then until August. New York called up outfielder Jasson Domínguez on September 9, and Verdugo only started 11 more games. He finished with a .233 offensive average — his lowest in a full season — with 13 homers and 61 RBIs.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone wanted Verdugo in left field against Kansas City, in part because of his better defense.
“Just trusting that he will be ready for the moment and his personal experience and record,” Boone said. “I know he’s been up and down offensively in the second half, but the guy is a good hitter.”
With the Yankees trailing 3-2, Verdugo made a sliding catch on Michael Massey’s fly ball in the fourth inning, just inside the line to strand two runners. The ball hit the heel of Verdugo’s glove, ricocheting off his chest before he caught it with his free hand.
“Thank goodness it bounced to the left hand, so it all worked out,” Verdugo said, sporting a T-shirt with the name of his native Tucson and a sparkling diamond in each ear.
Verdugo lined a breaking ball to left field to drive in Jazz Chisholm Jr. Upon reaching second on the throw, Verdugo raised his hands in triumph.
“When the lights are brightest, that’s when we want to play the most,” he said. “That’s the finish line, and when you see that, you basically go full throttle.”
