NEW YORK — The International League’s long bus rides, with stops at greasy fast-food joints and nights in budget hotels, lacked glamor but also offered Jake Bauers and Billy McKinney opportunities to dream. They were obviously thinking about making it back to the majors, but they were also trying to focus on where their feet were each day.
There was no guarantee either player would get a chance after serving at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, making their success in the pinstripes even sweeter. Bauers and McKinney hit early homers Wednesday to help the Yankees edge the Mariners 4-2 at Yankee Stadium.
“I think the bond at this clubhouse is pretty strong,” Bauers said. “I think everyone here supports each other. It was good. They like to come by every day; You like hanging out with these guys. That helps a lot.”
Anthony Volpe also hit his tenth home run in the win, marking the Yankees’ first straight win since they took two of three hits from the Dodgers earlier in the month, with Aaron Judge injuring his right big toe on a catch against the right field wall .
Runs were scarce in the lineup during Judge’s absence, with New York averaging just 3.2 runs per game on Wednesday. That trend appeared to continue against Seattle star Luis Castillo, the dominant right-hander who had been a trade target for the Yankees last July.
Bauers hit a two-run home run in the third inning and McKinney launched a solo shot in front of Castillo in the fourth inning. Thirteen of Bauers’ last 18 hits have come from extra bases (nine doubles and four home runs), while McKinney has hit home runs in two straight games and gone on a 12-game streak on bases.
“I’m glad we were able to contribute tonight and help the team,” said McKinney. “Jake is a great player and has been for a while. He’s fun to watch and I’m happy for him.”
Bauers added: “Love to see my friend Billy swing it well. He came and did a great job for us.”
Since attending spring training as non-invites, Bauers and McKinney have proven to be discount finds. Bauers revised his swing last season, shortening his shot and focusing on starting angle, while McKinney earned his nomination by hitting nine home runs for the RailRiders, among other things.
“We talked about enjoying it wherever you are,” Bauers said. “If you play in Triple-A and only think about the big leagues, there’s a good chance you’re not going to play well. you will be unhappy Most of the conversations we had were more about how to enjoy whatever is happening, wherever it is happening.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Bauers showed “a little presence” in the lead spot and that McKinney had “consistently attacked day in and day out.”
“We needed it,” Boone added.
Bauers and McKinney blasts assisted right-hander Jhony Brito, who threw 5 2/3 innings scoreless on his return from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Brito allowed just two hits, a walk and three strikeouts.
Brito, a 25-year-old rookie who has had mixed results in his first 10 big league games, said he’s excited at the chance to face Castillo, a two-time All-Star the Mariners picked up from the U.S. last July Reds had taken over. (The Yanks were interested in Castillo but refused to part ways with Volpe or infielder Oswald Peraza.)
“It was a great opportunity to face a guy like that,” Brito said through an interpreter. “He’s one of the stars of this game. At the same time, I have to go out and do a job and pitch. It was a good experience.”
Volpe extended the Americans’ lead in the seventh round with a home run against Gabe Speier. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he was the only Yankees rookie, along with Tony Lazzeri (1926) and Alfonso Soriano (2001), to accumulate 10 or more home runs and 15 or more stolen bases in a season.
Seattle’s Dylan Moore hit a narrow home run against Wandy Peralta in the eighth game and Michael King got into trouble in the ninth play, but Boone called on Tommy Kahnle for the finish and the 33-year-old right winger made his first save of the season and only his sixth his career.
“We have to take it one day at a time,” McKinney said. “Today is the end and we’ll get back to you tomorrow.”