How Gary Sanchez still impacts Yankees as a .200 hitter

Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez is batting just .202 after going 1-for-4 in the 7-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 (6/5/18). The win kept the Yankees one game behind the first-place Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

TORONTO — Gary Sanchez wasn’t in the Yankees clubhouse while teammates were being interviewed after Tuesday night’s 7-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Why?

The slumping catcher perhaps figured he hadn’t done anything special in this win that kept the Yanks a game behind the Red Sox in the AL East.

Not true.

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On the contrary, this was as complete an effort as we’ve seen all season from Sanchez, who has good power numbers but with an average that is hovering just above the Mendoza line and constant outside criticism about his blocking skills.

In this one, it was Sanchez’s line single to center as the Yankees’ leadoff hitter in the seventh that ignited a rally that turned 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead when rookie Miguel Andujar went yard with the bases juiced.

And it was Sanchez who was putting down the right fingers time and again for CC Sabathia, who turned in a two-run, seven-inning outing that might have been his best of the season.

When Sabathia went over his third win of the season and 240th of his career during his post-game presser, the lefty threw credit Sanchez’ way in his second sentence.

Asked what keyed his strong effort, Sabathia answered, “Being aggressive in the strike zone. You know, Gary called a good game and I was able to execute pitches.”

Backup Austin Romine has been the Yankees’ best catcher thus far, as he’s a long-time highly skilled game-caller who is having a breakout offensive season with a .373 average, four homers and 19 RBIs in 21 games.

Sanchez isn’t hitting for average – he was down to .199 before his seventh-inning single – but his .202 isn’t atrocious when it’s combined with his 12 homers and 35 RBIs in 51 games.

And when Sanchez isn’t hitting – plus when he’s going through stretches where his passed ball total rises – his throwing arm is a major weaapon and his game-calling is being praised.

Manager Aaron Boone has pointed this out a lot already and Sabathia seems to love throwing to Sanchez.

“With me, he’s been unbelievable,” Sabathia said. “I haven’t shook him off in a long time. He’s got the game plan and he’s doing a good job. He’s our catcher.”

Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.