Yankees’ Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andujar share how they turned page on errors to beat Astros

Yankees rookies Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar combined for three errors on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 (5/29/18), then teamed up to produce a game-winning run in the 10th inning for a 6-5 win over the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium.

NEW YORK — Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar, Yankees’ Baby Bombers turned rookie stars, are BFFs.

They’re different in a lot of ways, yet so much alike as young 20s Latinos who very quickly went from getting spring-training options to Triple-A to playing leading roles as regulars on an American League powerhouse, Torres at second base and Andujar at third.

Their Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium didn’t start well.

Playing the world champs, Torres made a bad throw to first base in the first inning, his second in two days, Andujar did the same thing in the fifth and then Torres booted a seventh-inning groundball that should have been turned into an inning-ending double play.

How Yankees would be different if Verlander joined them in 2017 trade

At some point during this night of brutal defense, Andujar and Torres sat together in the Yankees dugout.

That’s when Andujar turned to Torres and said, “Hey, let’s put that aside. We’re going to have some good at-bats. We’ve got to play all nine innings … until the end of the game.”

This little impromptu pep-talk by Andujar was meant for the both of them, and they sure took it to heart.

By night’s end, both were heroes of a 6-5, 10-inning comeback victory over the Houston Astros.

Andujar started the winning rally by lacing a two-out double into the left-field corner facing tough Astros reliever Brad Peacock, then Torres followed with a line-drive, walk-off hit to right field.

The inning before, Andujar worked a leadoff walk in the ninth to set up Brett Gardner’s game-tying, two-run homer two batters later.

“You have to be able to (forget the errors), put that aside and look forward,” Andujar said.

Both rookies had impressive at-bats against Peacock in the 10th.

Andujar was down 0-2 in the count when he doubled on a nasty low slider.

“I stay with my plan,” Andujar said. “I stay positive for the at-bat and tried to see the ball.”

In Torres’ at-bat, he worked the count to 2-2, then fouled off a high fastball to stay alive before ripping his game-winning hit on a 95-mph heater that was down and in the zone.

“I just put myself relaxed,” Torres said. “Try to put the ball into play and help my team. I think it is the most important for me … help my team when I’ve got opportunities. When I don’t do my job, I feel bad.”

Torres felt bad about his errors, but they didn’t cost the Yankees any runs.

Andujar’s did, as his ignited a two-run Astros inning when they spread their lead to 5-2.

The Yankees got a run back in the bottom of the fifth on a leadoff homer by Aaron Judge, Gardner tied the game in the ninth with his dramatic homer and then the Baby Bombers won it in the 10th.

What a ride it’s been already this season for Andujar and Torres.

Torres’ .321 average leads Yankees regulars and Andujar is next at .297.

Both have been productive, too, as Torres already has nine homers and 26 RBIs in his 32 games while Andujar has five homers and 18 RBIs in 44 games.

And making these numbers more impressive is Andujar usually hits eighth and Torres mostly bats ninth.

“I feel so great,” Torres said. “When I come to the ballpark, every day I just try to do my job, help my team. Enjoy and do my job. Just learn every day. Be mature every day and help. It’s the most important thing.”

Andujar is the same way, and having his buddy Torres around for the fun makes it extra special.

“It’s been an amazing experience for us just to be together here,” Andujar said. “We’re trying to do the best we can and trying to help the team. It’s been a great ride for us.”

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

 

Written by

Felix Pantaleon is The Founder & Creator of NYYNEWS.com It was created in 2005, The first Independent New York Yankees Blog. Follow on Social Media Instagram - X.com

You may also like...