The New York Yankees first baseman picks up where he left off in the team's opening series.
CC: New York Post
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y, (Apr, 11, 2022) - The New York Yankees finished opening-day weekend with a 4-3 home loss against their arch rival, the Boston Red Sox on Sunday night, Apr, 10.
However, the team clinched the series by winning 6-5 on Friday and 4-2 on Saturday. Many Yankees players had their moments, including first baseman Antony Rizzo.
On Sunday night, Rizzo hit a single to center field in the bottom of the fourth, allowing shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and center fielder Jose Trevino to tie the game 3-3.
Red Sox utility player Enrique Hernandez, who had been miked up during the game, told ESPN broadcast team how he would handle Rizzo if he hit center field.
"If it's hit hard, he [Jose Trevino] is probably not gonna go home, but I don't want Rizzo to advance to second base on a hit," Hernández said.
Rizzo finished the opening day weekend with three hits, six runs batted in, three bases on walks and two run home runs from 10 at bats. The first home run occurred on Opening Day, Apr, 8, against Red Sox pitcher Nathan Evovaldi; the second occurred on Saturday, Apr, 9, against Nick Pivetta.
On defense, Rizzo proved the Yankees made the right decision to bring him back to first base. He played a total of 28 innings and had 27 putouts. He had two assists and four double plays turned, including three on Friday. He even had no errors committed.
However, Yankees fans had a scare after a 98-mph fastball from Evovaldi hit his right wrist. In a post game conference, Rizzo said he felt lucky he didn't suffer a break.
“It didn’t feel normal," he said. “Thankfully, that kind of went away right away.”
After Saturday's game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone told the New York Post Rizzo keeps developing his play despite a few missed opportunities.
“Rizz is in a good spot right now,” the manager said. “[He] has just missed another pitch or two on top of the two homers where he’s had a chance.
Rizzo hopes to keep his progress going as the Yankees host the Toronto Blue Jays. The first pitch is currently scheduled to take place at 7:05 p.m. Monday night.