Billy McKinney's homer lifts Yankees over Royals to snap four-game skid
Clarke Schmidt made a mistake, and a familiar, dejected murmur spread through the ballpark.
Schmidt had served up a three-run home run that put the Yankees in a two-run hole in the top of the fourth inning.
And any deficit feels debilitating these days.
But as the Yankees try to launch a comeback in their season, Billy McKinney led a comeback Friday night.
McKinney responded with a three-run homer of his own in the bottom of the fourth, and both his bat and glove starred in a 5-4, series-opening win over the Royals in front of a sellout crowd of 46,242 in The Bronx.
The outfielder, who had been slumping, made two remarkable catches and hit his first homer in 15 games, giving the Yankees a lead they held, if narrowly.
“Billy with the big swing I think was settling for us,” manager Aaron Boone said after the Yankees scored all their runs on three homers, following a disastrous three-game sweep in Anaheim earlier in the week in which they scored seven runs total.
The Yankees (51-47) snapped a four-game losing streak and awoke from a nightmarish, 1-5 road trip.
Billy McKinney rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the Yankees’ victory against the Royals. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
After two more games against the dreadful Royals (28-71), the disappointing Mets will come to The Bronx on Tuesday and Wednesday.
As poorly as Boone’s club has played, it is not too difficult to envision a run coming at home against subpar competition.
“Everybody in here has been pushing each other really hard,” said McKinney, who stepped into center field, filling in for the bruised Harrison Bader. “Top to bottom, everybody’s been pushing each other and helping each other out.”
A surge would be easier to envision if McKinney has found his stroke again.
The outfielder was brilliant upon being called up in early June and was hitting .320 after his 15th game.
Billy McKinney connects on his home run in the Yankees’ victory over the Royals on Friday. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
Clarke Schmidt reacts after allowing Michael Massey to hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
But a deep slump (corresponding with a deep slump by virtually the entire offense) followed, and he entered Friday 3-for-29 in his past 14 games.
McKinney stepped to the plate in the fourth inning at a quiet Stadium, shortly after Schmidt had coughed up a 1-0 Yankees lead by allowing a three-run homer to Michael Massey.
With two out, DJ LeMahieu had walked and Anthony Volpe had singled.
McKinney followed by hammering a first-pitch curveball from Alec Marsh over the right-field wall to give the Yankees a 4-3 edge and provide a semblance of hope for a flailing offense.
“It was an all-around night for him, and it was fun to watch,” said Schmidt, who allowed three runs in 5 ²/₃ innings and watched as McKinney did his best Bader impression.
McKinney had been a corner outfielder before joining the Yankees, but you wouldn’t know it by watching him.
Michael Massey celebrates his home run in the fourth inning against the Yankees’ Clarke Schmidt. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
In the seventh inning, with the Yankees clinging to a 5-3 lead, Drew Waters blasted a Wandy Peralta changeup an estimated 393 feet to center.
McKinney gave chase, leaped in stride at the wall and caught the ball at his peak, robbing at least extra bases.
It was his second tremendous catch of the game: He also stole a hit from Kyle Isbel with a sliding catch in the left-center gap to end the third inning.
“I’ve always felt like I could play center,” said McKinney, whose three RBIs were a season high. “I’m not Byron Buxton out there, tracking stuff down. But I think I can play well enough whenever a guy like Bader needs a day.”
Franchy Cordero jogs around the bases following his home run in the second inning of the Yankees’ win on Friday. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
Franchy Cordero celebrates with DJ LeMahieu following his home run in the second inning. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
McKinney’s glove was the most impressive, but the Yankees’ defense as a whole continually came through.
Oswald Peraza made several nice plays at second base, and Volpe’s quick thinking in the ninth saved the game.
The Royals had narrowed the lead to one on Massey’s second homer of the game in the eighth inning before Waters single against Clay Holmes in the ninth and stole second base with one out.
With two outs, Bobby Witt Jr. hit a slider into the shortstop hole.
DJ LeMahieu makes the tag for the final out of the Yankees’ victory over the Royals. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
Volpe slid to field the ball, knowing his only play was at third. Volpe threw, without getting up, and LeMahieu made a quick tag at third that was ruled the final out upon official review.
“It’s such a heads-up play,” said Boone, whose pitching staff and defense held the Royals to 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Franchy Cordero’s homer gave the Yankees their first run and Gleyber Torres’ homer gave the Yankees their last.
Clutch pitching, defense and McKinney did the rest, and the Yankees’ season showed a pulse.
“I think we just need to play better,” Volpe said. “It was obviously nice to get off the skid.”
Source: New York Post
