It’s possible that Aaron Boone’s approval rate among the fan base has never been higher than when he got ejected in the fifth inning Saturday afternoon.
That is what arguing questionable calls against his captain will do for him.
Boone got a rousing ovation from the sellout crowd of 46,085 after getting tossed, then getting his money’s worth with home plate umpire Ramon De Jesus in the Yankees’ 6-1 win over the Orioles.
“I didn’t even boil over,” Boone said after his seventh ejection of the season, breaking a tie with Cardinals manager Oli Marmol for the league lead. “No way I should have been kicked out there. But an emotional response [by De Jesus]. There were a couple calls early, but once again by him, a real quick hook. Fortunately, it didn’t impact anything, and we were able to tack on.”
The bases were loaded with one out, the Yankees leading 3-0, when Judge came to the plate and had two inside pitches called strikes to put him in a 1-2 hole.
The Yankees dugout was not pleased, and De Jesus — who ejected José Caballero on a short leash earlier this month in Houston — evidently heard enough to give Boone the hook.
Judge eventually ripped a two-run single through the middle to break the game open.
“I didn’t really hear [Boone] even say much, so I was surprised he got tossed there,” Judge said. “But definitely a big spot where you can put the game out of reach. I didn’t agree with the calls, but you got to stay focused. It only takes one pitch. That’s why you get three strikes. Always appreciative when Booney has our back.”
Giancarlo Stanton’s home run in the second inning moved him past Carl Yastrzemski for sole possession of 40th place on the all-time homers list with 453.
Up next are José Canseco and Adam Dunn at 462.
J.C. Escarra joined the Yankees on the taxi squad Saturday, keeping open the possibility that the Yankees carry him on their postseason roster.
Having a third catcher would give Boone greater flexibility in being able to pinch-hit or pinch-run for Austin Wells and/or Ben Rice late in games when both are in the starting lineup (Rice at first base).
“I don’t know yet,” Boone said. “We’ve been so consumed with this. Once we get through [Sunday], we’ll start to have all those conversations in earnest. J.C.’s been a big part of our team this year and certainly important to have him here.”
The Yankees have another group of players working out in Scranton to stay ready should they need an injury replacement during the playoffs.
The Yankees recorded their 20th sellout of the season Saturday, matching their second most at the current Stadium, behind only their 23 sellouts in 2018.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
