Anthony Volpe sure looked comfortable in his first playoff start at second base while delivering a key hit and sacrifice bunt in a 9-0 win over Boston in Game 1 of the wild card series at the Stadium.
asserted
Volpe → look → Stadium
It was a highlight in a rocky season for the one-time shortstop of the future for the Yankees, who bounced from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to The Bronx and all around the infield in a wild season.
asserted
who → bounce → season
Try it freeNow he looks like he could be a key piece to a potential playoff run.
uncertain
he → try → run
“I’m just in the moment and ready to go,’’ Volpe said.
asserted
Volpe → ’m → moment
“Everything that happened, happened.
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that → happen → ?
It’s all hands on deck.”
asserted
It → ’ → deck
His path to Game 1 included offseason surgery to repair his left shoulder a little less than a year ago, followed by a minor league rehab assignment that began in April before he was optioned to the minors when he failed to show enough to merit a trip back to The Bronx at short.
asserted
he → include → Bronx
When he finally got back to the majors, it came because José Caballero, who replaced Volpe at short, was hurt.
asserted
who → get → short
And after more than one trip back to the minors, Volpe didn’t play his first major league game at second base until this month.
asserted
Volpe → play → month
“It was frustrating,’’ Volpe said.
asserted
Volpe → say → ?
“Credit to him,’’ Aaron Boone said prior to the game.
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Boone → say → game
“It was an incredibly difficult situation, but that’s why I always [say], we live in the moment so much.
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we → ’ → moment
It’s a snapshot in such a long grind of the season.
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It → ’ → season
A lot of times, the cream usually rises to the top.”
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cream → rise → top
The Yankees went with Volpe over lefty-swinging Jazz Chisholm Jr. against Boston left-hander Payton Tolle, with Volpe having started at second just 11 times in the majors before Tuesday night.
asserted
Volpe → go → night
Still, infield coach Dan Fiorito expressed confidence that Volpe would be solid wherever he was asked to play.
asserted
he → express → confidence
“I know he’s ready,’’ Fiorito said before the game.
asserted
Fiorito → know → game
“He’s got some games there going back to the minors.
asserted
He → get → minors
And Fiorito said Volpe’s knowledge of the game has helped with the transition.
asserted
knowledge → say → transition
“He doesn’t have the same experience as he does at shortstop, but he’s a baseball player,’’ Fiorito said.
asserted
Fiorito → have → shortstop
“He knows all his responsibilities.
asserted
He → know → responsibilities
He’s looked good out there so far.”
asserted
He → look → ?
Prior to this season, Volpe had appeared in just two games as a pro at second base, as the Yankees prepared him throughout his career to be the shortstop for the foreseeable future.
asserted
Yankees → appear → future
But his offense stalled and his defense regressed and when he played through the shoulder injury last season, it took a toll.
Many scouts have long believed that, despite the Gold Glove he won as a rookie, Volpe was better suited as a second baseman and with George Lombard Jr. so far looking the part, the best chance Volpe has of sticking in The Bronx — and making a difference this postseason — is an ability to play second and perhaps third.
asserted
Volpe → stall → difference
“Anthony is a competitor,” Fiorito said.
asserted
Fiorito → say → ?
“He’s dialed in.
asserted
He → dial → ?
He knows where everybody’s got to be on the field at all times.
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everybody → know → times
And he’s in the right spot at the right time.
asserted
he → ’ → time
That makes you feel good about him.”
asserted
you → make → him
“He’s made some really good plays there, but he’s also made the ones you expect him to and that’s what you need this time of year,’’ Fiorito said.
asserted
Fiorito → make → year
The Aporia
