Sports
Anthony Volpe Shines in Game 4: A Clutch Performance
The New York Yankees’ bats came alive at a key time, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers to force Game 5 on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.
The New York Yankees, like the World Series, are far from finished.
Facing a potential sweep, the Yankees fell down early but rallied with Anthony Volpe’s grand slam and pulled away late to defeat the Dodgers 11-4 in Game 4 at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday.
The Yankees had only five hits before breaking the game open in the eighth inning, and their first seven runs had come from the bottom of the lineup, but it worked. On a night when survival was all that mattered, the Yankees finally got the big hit they needed, then added on until the game was far out of reach.
Volpe’s Game-Changing Moments:
Volpe, a homegrown shortstop from nearby Morristown, N.J., made a poor decision while jogging the bases in the second inning.
The error may have cost the Yankees a chance to tie the game, but Volpe found redemption an inning later with a first-pitch slider that he drove 390 feet to left center field. The grand slam gave the Yankees a 5-2 lead, their first since the 10th inning in Game 1.
The Dodgers got within a run two innings later, but Yankees rookie Austin Wells — who had been hitless at the plate — hit a solo home run in the sixth, and the Yankees tacked on five runs in the eighth. Aaron Judge finally got a hit, drove in a run, and went the entire night without striking out.
How Volpe Energized the Team:
Five Yankee relievers combined for five scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit against a Dodgers lineup that appeared unstoppable entering the game.
Freddie Freeman’s fourth home run of the series — he has one in every game — gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but the Yankees rallied.
Their bullpen compensated for rookie starter Luis Gil’s mediocre performance (four runs in four innings), with Volpe and Wells reaching base six times and No. 9 batter Alex Verdugo driving in two runs.
On Wednesday, the Yankees will turn to ace Gerrit Cole, while the Dodgers will reply with midseason acquisition Jack Flaherty.
It’s a Game 1 rematch that didn’t seem likely when the day began, but it turns out that this World Series still has at least one game to go.
Aaron Judge had a great at-bat in the first inning, fouling off several pitches and drawing a walk. I don’t recall seeing Judge foul off so many pitches in a single series, indicating that his swing is a little off.
When your swing is off, you usually end up with deeper counts (foul balls). You must find a method to compete, just like Judge did there.
Ben Casparius walked Juan Soto and Aaron Judge but survived to see the first inning end without a run. The Dodgers will most likely ask for a second inning from him, but I’d be amazed if he faces those two again with a two-run advantage.
He clearly intends to avoid harm, yet this is inviting trouble.
Chisholm hits a grounder, which Edman fields. His only play is at first, so he is out, but Judge and Soto progress.
Stanton steps up next and swings at the second pitch, grounding out to Lux. The Yankees have two strands.
End of first inning, Dodgers 2, Yankees 0.
FAQS:
What did Anthony Volpe’s major numbers say in Game 4?
Volpe went all guns blazing in his statistics on Game 4 as such, he could excel much in the various statistical factors.
How did Anthony Volpe impact the course of the game?
Anthony Volpe made some key contributions, such as [particular plays or events], which contributed significantly to the team’s momentum heading into Game 4.
