Yankees

George Lombard Jr. Powers Yankees’ Wild Comeback Over Rays

By ••3 min read
George Lombard Jr. Powers Yankees’ Wild Comeback Over Rays

AI Overview

George Lombard Jr. powered the Yankees from a 4-0 deficit to a 6-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays Thursday at Yankee Stadium. The 21-year-old rookie hit an RBI double, scored on a wild plate play, and launched a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs. Cam Schlittler made his final regular-season start, allowing two runs over three innings as he completed a 14-6 season with a 1.95 ERA and 239 strikeouts.

The Yankees were down 4-0. Cam Schlittler was already out of the game. The offense had done almost nothing through 5 innings.

Then George Lombard Jr. took over.

The 21-year-old rookie delivered an RBI double, scored on one of the wildest plays you will see at home plate, and then crushed the go-ahead 2-run homer in the eighth inning as the Yankees came all the way back to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 Thursday night at Yankee Stadium.

New York improved to 92-67, but this night belonged to Lombard.

Lombard Changes the Entire Game

For most of the night, the Yankees looked dead offensively.

Tampa Bay built a 4-0 lead while the Yankees managed just 1 hit through the first 5 innings. Austin Wells finally broke through in the sixth, launching a solo homer to center to make it 4-1.

Then came the seventh.

Ben Rice walked and moved to second before Lombard ripped a double to deep left, bringing Rice home and cutting the deficit to 4-2.

But Lombard wasn’t finished.

He advanced to third on a wild pitch. Another pitch got away, and Lombard broke for home. The ball bounced back toward the plate, putting catcher Liam Hicks directly in his path.

Lombard somehow popped up from his feet-first slide, jumped over Hicks, twisted his body and reached back with his right hand to touch home plate.

Safe.

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That made it 4-3, and Yankee Stadium came alive.

Austin Wells later scored on Paul Goldschmidt’s 2-out single to tie the game at 4.

Then Lombard Put One in the Seats

The Yankees didn’t need much time to finish the comeback.

Amed Rosario singled with 2 outs in the eighth and eventually moved into scoring position. Lombard stepped in against Steven Matz and drove a sinker into the second deck in left field.

Gone.

6-4 Yankees.

And Lombard knew it.

He stood at the plate for a moment and watched it fly before beginning his home run trot.

That’s now 7 home runs on the season for Lombard, including 4 in his last 7 games. He finished Thursday 2-for-4 with a double, a homer, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI.

We’re not talking about a September cameo anymore. Lombard is forcing himself into the Yankees’ October conversation.

Schlittler Finishes a Remarkable Regular Season

Lost in all the Lombard madness was the final regular-season start for Cam Schlittler.

The rookie right-hander worked just 3 innings as the Yankees prepare him for the AL Wild Card Series. He allowed 3 hits and 2 runs, only 1 earned, while walking 2 and striking out 5.

Schlittler finishes his first full MLB season 14-6 with a 1.95 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP and 239 strikeouts across 193 2/3 innings.

Read those numbers again.

According to the Yankees, Schlittler’s 1.95 ERA is the third-lowest by a qualified pitcher in franchise history, trailing only Spud Chandler’s 1.64 in 1943 and Ron Guidry’s 1.74 in 1978.

That’s the company this kid just put himself in.

October Is Coming

Bradley Hanner handled the final 2 innings without allowing a run and earned his first major league victory, stranding Tampa Bay’s final runner in the ninth.

The Yankees have 3 regular-season games remaining and will open Friday with a single-admission doubleheader against Baltimore. Brendan Beck is scheduled to start Game 1 against left-hander Trevor Rogers.

But Thursday gave the Yankees another reminder of what might be developing right in front of them.

Schlittler just completed one of the best rookie pitching seasons this franchise has ever seen.

And Lombard?

He’s 21 years old, he’s hitting the ball out of the park, he’s creating runs with his legs, and he’s playing like somebody who has absolutely no interest in watching October from the bench.

The Yankees were down 4-0.

George Lombard Jr. helped turn it into a 6-4 win.

That’s how you make sure everybody remembers your name when the postseason roster gets put together.

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