SAN DIEGO – Spencer Jones grew up watching games from the seats of Petco Park, but he always envisioned himself in the batter’s box. Getting on that field “was always the goal and the dream,” and the way he’s swinging right now, the Yankees rookie won’t want to leave.
Jones continued his productive homecoming with two hits, including a run-scoring double. Ben Rice stroked three hits and reached base five times as the Yankees chased Robbie Ray early and coasted to a 5-1 victory over the Padres on Saturday evening.
A product of nearby Encinitas, Calif., Jones delivered a go-ahead single off Mason Miller in the 10th inning of Friday’s 3-2 loss. He then added hits in his first two at-bats against Ray, who was charged with five runs and recorded just seven outs.
With Trent Grisham landing on the injured list Saturday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he expects Jones to largely take over as the club’s starting center fielder. So far, the La Costa Canyon High School star – who once won a home run derby at Petco – is answering the call.
“Obviously, I’m super happy with the Yankees and being here with this organization,” Jones said after Friday’s game. “But San Diego is where I grew up and my hometown, so it was really cool.”
Supporting Carlos Rodón, the Yankees posted heavy traffic against Ray, who struggled to command the strike zone.
In a four-run second inning, Paul Goldschmidt worked the last of three consecutive walks to force in a run, and Cody Bellinger followed with a two-run single. George Lombard Jr. added a third-inning sacrifice fly.
Manny Machado hit a fourth-inning solo homer off Rodón, who permitted two hits over five innings, walking three and striking out seven. It was Rodón’s fourth start since coming off the injured list following a recurrence of left elbow inflammation.
The victory secured the Yankees’ 34th consecutive season with a record of .500 or better (since 1993).