NEW YORK – Mired in an early-season skid that has tested his patience, Ryan McMahon went searching for answers in the cages beneath Yankee Stadium. Out of the lineup and with time on his hands, the infielder estimated he took “probably about a hundred” extra swings on Friday evening.
And when the game found him late, McMahon had one more big cut left in the tank. He connected for a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning that powered the Yankees’ 4-2 victory over the Royals.
“It’s been tough,” McMahon said. “I love this game; I love doing this with these guys. The goal is to win a World Series, and you want to be somebody who helps out. It’s been grinding on me. You get sick and tired of it, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to figure it out. For me, you just never, ever quit.”
The left-handed McMahon was out of the lineup on Friday against a right-handed starting pitcher, a decision that manager Aaron Boone attributed in part to Michael Wacha’s reverse splits.
Boone said he explained the decision to McMahon earlier on Friday, adding this caveat – with at least four left-handed starters coming up in the Yankees’ next six games, McMahon’s playing time will be further impacted.
Entering Friday’s action with just five hits this season – all singles – McMahon made it six, clubbing an Alex Lange changeup over the left-field wall. He roared as he rounded the bases, celebrating the benefits of his in-game workload.
“Six out of seven innings, I was in there taking swings,” McMahon said. “You want to play good for the men in the room with you. It doesn’t feel good, letting your brothers down, especially the guys you grind with every single day. That’s not the first time I’ve done that. It’s a humbling game.”
McMahon’s work didn’t begin on Friday. This offseason, he met with members of the Yankees’ coaching staff via Zoom to discuss potential mechanical changes after slashing .208/.308/.333 with four homers in 54 games after being acquired from the Rockies last July 25.
McMahon carried those suggestions into the spring, tightening a stance that had become one of the league’s widest, and he is now attempting to be more square with his shoulders to cut down on rotation.
“He’s had success in this league for a while, so he knows he’s capable,” Boone said. “But when you’re going through it, it can be tough. He’s been working really hard, and I know he hasn’t had the results, but we do feel like he’s moved the needle this last week with what he’s working on.”
Ben Rice, who hit a two-run homer and ranks second in the Majors with an 1.205 OPS, said he has seen McMahon’s efforts first-hand.
“I’m here with him early all the time,” Rice said. “We’re always hitting at the same time, like 2 o’clock. I see all the work he puts into it. He’s a ballplayer, man. He grinds. He’s going to help you in a lot of ways out there.”
Results have been scarce, with Boone acknowledging Amed Rosario has “earned the right for more opportunities” at third base. But the manager didn’t believe that message played a factor in Friday’s homer.
“This is a game that will bring you to your knees; even the best of the best,” Boone said. “It’s tough, and the good ones handle it and deal with it. Even guys that are going to play in the All-Star Game and have outstanding seasons this year are going to go through stretches where it’s a grind.”
McMahon’s drive came one half-inning after Camilo Doval surrendered the lead, touched by Vinnie Pasquantino for a game-tying blast that reached the short porch in right field. It was the latest stumble for a Yankees bullpen that struggled mightily over a four-game series against the Angels.
Cam Schlittler retired the first 11 batters he faced, limiting Kansas City to an unearned run over six-plus innings before exiting to a warm ovation. Brent Headrick retired the next three batters to strand a pair of runners, helped by Rice’s nice grab on a foul pop behind first base.
“Definitely not a routine play,” Rice said.
Once David Bednar sealed the final three outs for his sixth save, arguably no one smiled wider in the postgame handshake line than McMahon.
He’d earned that.
“That’s what’s the most fun – coming back in here, celebrating with the guys, whoever got the big hits and the big pitches,” McMahon said. “It’s fun to celebrate.”