NEW YORK – The Yankees believe that Luis García Jr. might prove to be the most impactful bat moved at this year’s Trade Deadline, envisioning his big-swinging presence as a significant upgrade for their offense – both now and down the line.
Tuesday evening served as a convincing showcase, as García collected four hits and drove in three runs. But García’s most impressive performance in pinstripes thus far couldn’t cover a rare off night from the Yankees’ bullpen, which surrendered five late runs in a 9-7 loss to the Astros at Yankee Stadium.
Fernando Cruz’s struggles continued when he served up Jeremy Peña’s two-run homer in the sixth inning; Cruz has allowed 11 earned runs in his last 16 innings. Brent Headrick has been stellar all year, but the lefty was touched for three earned runs in the eighth, a season-high.
Facing Headrick, Yainer Diaz reached the right-field seats for his second homer of the night, a game-tying solo shot, and Yordan Alvarez knocked in the go-ahead run with a triple to the gap in right-center field. Isaac Paredes added a run-scoring hit.
Yankees relievers had permitted just four earned runs over their past 29 1/3 innings entering Tuesday’s game, with a Major League-best 2.44 ERA over their past 70 games (since June 3).
García singled in his first two at-bats, then cracked a two-run homer off Ethan Pecko in the fifth – his 27th of the season and fourth with the Yankees. García added a run-scoring double in the seventh for the Yankees, who also got an early homer from Cody Bellinger.
It was Bellinger’s first homer since June 17, a 32-game drought that was the second longest of his career.