The days of Matt Carpenter playing in the big leagues were numbered. He returned after making some minor adjustments to his swing.
Similarly, supporting the Yankees did.
In the opening game of a split doubleheader on Saturday, Carpenter went deep twice, drove in four runs, and Gerrit Cole overcame giving up back-to-back home runs. The result was a 13-4 rout of the Cleveland Guardians.
The 36-year-old Carpenter, a three-time All-Star in St. Louis, was released by the Texas Rangers as a minor league player in May and then signed with New York.
All he has accomplished while filling in as a reserve is hit eight home runs in 41 at-bats (he had just seven total home runs the previous two seasons) and respond to manager Aaron Boone's calls for help.
You're seeing a player who's been refreshed, Boone remarked.
Carpenter claimed that getting the chance to represent the most illustrious club in baseball has inspired him.
Every time I put the outfit on, I feel like a kid, he added. "The franchise is just so legendary, and I'm just thankful to be able to put it on every day and go out and play, and just try to make the most of my opportunities when I have them."
Josh Naylor and Franmil Reyes hit back-to-back home runs on Cole (7-2) in the second inning before he was able to settle in. Only one additional hit was given to Cleveland by the right-hander, who also struck out six.
For the Yankees, who now lead the majors with 131 home runs, DJ LeMahieu added a single drive off rookie Kirk McCarty (0-2) and Jose Trevino homered off Guardians utility player Ernie Clement in the ninth.
New York increased their record to 57-21 by winning 24 of its last 30 games, tying the 2001 Seattle Mariners for the second-best start after 78 games since 1930. Only the 1998 Yankees were superior (58-20).
Following a defeat, New York also increased to 16-5. Houston defeated the Yankees 2-1 on Thursday night.
Carpenter remarked, "There's a lot of toughness and grit in this clubhouse. "There are several fights. men with heart. When you have the skill we possess, winning games comes naturally, but the manner in which we've been able to accomplish so is impressive.
"Guys are able to move on and come prepared the next day. Many talented athletes as well as many men who work hard and act morally.
There was a hitch in yet another routine Yankees victory. May 22 was reliever Aroldis Chapman's debut in a major league game, which didn't go well.
The left-hander, who was brought in to open the seventh for Cole after being out with Achilles tendonitis, walked three hitters in a row before being replaced by Boone after 19 pitches.
He's okay, according to Boone. He needs to go out there and let the ball go without thinking about throwing it, simply trusting it and letting the outcomes come as they may. I believe he is only exercising caution to avoid tossing a ball.
We simply need to help him get through the obstacle.
The Guardians, who are now playing in their sixth doubleheader in as many games, will be playing their third twinbill in less than a week in Detroit. On Tuesday, Cleveland and Minnesota played to a 2-2 draw.
LeMahieu's seventh home run, a blast into the right-field bleachers, started New York's four-run third.
McCarty then found himself in difficulty after drawing two walks. Miguel Andujar, who had been summoned as the 27th man for the doubleheader, then came through with an RBI single and Aaron Hicks added two more runs with a base hit to make it 4-2 in favor of the team.
You hate it when they happen, but innings like the third do happen, McCarty said. LeMahieu struck one hard, while the other players merely looked for openings. Four runs result from the addition of a few walks in that area.
It's a strong squad from top to bottom. They made errors. They are a skilled group.
SHIFTING GEARS
The Yankees twice used a novel shift against José Ramrez, the star of the Guardians, by shifting shortstop Marwin Gonzalez to the left-center. In those two trips to the plate, Ramirez was hit by pitches and walked.
WATER PARK
After Friday's game was called, Boone relished seeing two team employees don the uniforms of Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo and do headfirst slides across the infield tarp.
The joke was planned by Rizzo.
Boone, who was unaware of the prize for the joke, claimed that it "gained momentum really quickly, and then it developed into a wonderful team event."
READERS' ROOM
Yankees: Ron Marinaccio, the RHP who replaced Chapman, was being evaluated, according to Boone, after he complained of having a "little dead arm." In 13 straight outings, he has only given up one hit and no runs.
Defenders: Rookie OF A rib injury caused Oscar Gonzalez to be put on the disabled list. He did not complain of any problems until Thursday when an MRI showed the strain. Gonzalez will be out for a minimum of one week. RHP James Karinchak (shoulder strain) was optioned to Triple-A Columbus after being recalled from the 60-day IL. After two recent successes, the Guardians want him to maintain consistency.
UP NEXT
The Guardians handed Friday's planned starter Aaron Civale (2-4, 7.20 ERA) the choice of pitching in either game. On April 24 against the Yankees, the right-hander got hammered for six runs in three innings. Nestor Cortes of New York will oppose him (6-3, 2.51).
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