NEW YORK – Jasson Dominguez didn’t have much time to explore his new surroundings; Any sightseeing trips to Central Park or Times Square can wait. But the Yankees’ super-contender has already identified his favorite part of the city: “The right field wall.”
In fact, Domínguez and Yankee Stadium already seem like a perfect match. “The Martian” took off again, hitting his first home run in the Bronx as part of a three-hit performance as the Yankees picked up their fifth straight win with a 4-3 victory over the Tigers on Wednesday night.
“I’ve said it before; I think if you work really hard and get good results, it won’t be a surprise given all the work you do,” Domínguez said through an interpreter.
DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres and Oswald Peraza also drove in runs as the Yankees improved to 70-69 after winning eight of their last nine games, topping Atlanta (60-59) for the first time since Aug. 14. 500 climbed. They have been out of the American League Wild Card chase for 6 1/2 games.
The surge coincided with the Yanks’ decision to raise the white flag on a season that general manager Brian Cashman called a “disaster” by releasing veterans to draft talent like Domínguez and catcher Austin Wells, both of whom were immediate contributors .
Domínguez joined Mickey Mantle (1952) as the only Yankees to hit three home runs in five games while age 20 or younger, and Domínguez did so in his first five games. Domínguez has a record of 7-for-21 (.333) with five runs, one double, three home runs and five RBIs.
“He reminds me of that a lot [Anthony] “Volpe is very mature, very calm and doesn’t let the moment get too big,” Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt said. “It’s not like he’s nervous up there trying to hit a hit or hit a home run. He seems very professional. It seems like he has that “it” factor.”
Shelley Duncan (2007) is the only other Yankee to hit three home runs in his first five big league games; Just a week ago, Duncan filled out a lineup card that had Domínguez’s name on it as manager of Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
“He knows he’s a good player,” coach Aaron Boone said of Domínguez, “but I think he also has the right amount of humility.” There’s just an easy way to go with him. He enjoys playing the game with his teammates. I don’t think he’s overcomplicating this part. Fear is the enemy of the hitter. He doesn’t go up there with much of it.”
Domínguez’s third big hit in the league came in the third inning when he hit right-hander Beau Brieske with a 110.2 mph line drive that cleared the right field wall for a solo home run. The 20-year-old switch-hitter added two singles, including his first major league hit from right field.
Boone said Domínguez “has a chance to be dynamic from both ends.”
“He’s a talented boy; “We saw him in the spring,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said. “When they come up and immediately look comfortable, you pay attention because he certainly looks that way. He put the ball into play against us. He hit the ball hard. He hit the ball out of the stadium. So it looks like he’s off to a good start.”
The Tigers experienced an unexpected bullpen game in which Giancarlo Stanton drilled starter Matt Manning in the right foot with a 119.5 mph line drive to end the first inning. Manning suffered a fracture, ending his season.
“That ball was absolutely trashed,” Boone said. “It’s just one of those balls that G hits. Unfortunately, Manning had a really good time.”
Schmidt allowed three runs and five hits over 6 1/3 innings, walked none and struck out six, earning his ninth win. Schmidt, teaming with Wells for the first time in a major league game, struck out 16 straight runs against the Tigers after Kerry Carpenter’s RBI single in the first inning.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Schmidt. “There’s a lot of dialogue between innings, just checking each other out. I thought [Wells] did a really, really good job of just sticking with me. I know it’s hard; You’re trying to score your first hit here at Yankee Stadium, but he was locked in with me all night. We had a really good game plan.”
Greg Weissert got a crucial strikeout in the eighth, firing a fastball past Matt Vierling and loading the bases.
“I don’t know [that] “I’m just as young as Domínguez and these guys,” said the 28-year-old Weissert, “but I think everyone really wants to win.” Everyone wants to make a name for themselves. It gives the team that extra bit of energy. Everyone is doing pretty well at the moment.”