DETROIT — Austin Romine has hit four homers since May 20.
If you’re scoring at home, that’s four more than Gary Sanchez has hit in the same stretch.
Romine’s most recent blast, a three-run homer in a 7-4 win over the Tigers to open Monday’s split doubleheader, capped a six-run fourth inning and extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
Sanchez played the nightcap and went 0-for-3 with a pair of walks in a 4-2 loss to stretch his slump to 2-for-32 with no extra-base hits. He also committed a passed ball and allowed a wild pitch.
Romine’s emergence has coincided with Sanchez’s woes.
“He’s a threat,’’ Aaron Boone said of Romine, who has already matched his career-high with four homers this season. “The common theme at the bottom of our order, the production we’ve gotten down there, [Romine] has been a big part of that.”
Normally one to downplay any success at the plate, Romine is clearly relishing his recent outburst.
“It’s a solid approach,’’ Romine said. “My swing is very short and compact right now. I’m doing everything I can to keep it that way. We’ve got everyone out there hitting homers and doing well and anytime I can contribute, I want to.”
During his hitting streak, Romine is 15-for-32 with 10 runs, four doubles, 13 RBIs, in addition to the four homers.
“The last few weeks, I think he’s gone to another level, as far as mechanically with the move he’s making,’’ Boone said. “In batting practice, he’s hitting with authority all around the yard to where the guys with pop go. The fact we’re seeing it come out in a game is exciting. We know the power is in there.”
Romine nearly homered in the third, but his fly ball down the right-field line landed just foul. Against right-hander Drew VerHagen an inning later, Romine left no doubt when he homered to left-center to give the Yankees a 7-1 lead.
It helped make up for his blunder in the ninth, when he was unable to catch a pop-up by Jeimer Candelario. The miscue led to two unearned runs.
“I just missed it,’’ Romine said. “It was a high sky … [but] I’ve got to catch that ball. That really changed the dynamic of that inning.”
The win, the Yankees’ fifth in a row, allowed Romine to shake off the mistake.
Told of John Sterling’s home-run call: “Romie, my homie,’’ Romine said: “I’m just glad I have a home-run call now. There was a while there it was few and far between.”
Long respected by his pitching staff for his defensive ability, Romine has now won its praise on the other side of the ball.
“He’s a great catcher who knows how to call games and now he’s hitting the ball, too,’’ said Luis Severino, who picked up the win. “I don’t know if he’s enjoying [his success], but we are.”
