BALTIMORE — With Greg Bird mired in yet another slump, Aaron Boone went with Luke Voit at first base Friday against Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb — and it paid off.
Voit had his first multi-homer game in a 7-5, 10-inning win at Camden Yards, tying the game with a two-run shot off Cobb in the fourth, then hitting a two-run blast off former Yankees prospect Cody Carroll in the 10th that provided the winning margin.
Asked if there might be more chances for Voit to get into the lineup, Boone didn’t hesitate.
“Sure,’’ the manager said. “You swing the bat like that, you create opportunities for yourself. Those were quality at-bats tonight, big at-bats in big spots. There are some opportunities to be had right now and performance matters.”
Considering Bird’s inconsistency at the plate, that could be bad news for him.
Before the game, Boone said of Bird that the Yankees “needed to get him going,” but it’s clear their patience is wearing thin with the first baseman, who is in a 2-for-27 funk.
For every flash of power Bird has shown this season, there have been far more nights like the previous two in Miami, when he went hitless in two straight games, often looking lost at the plate.
Voit, picked up in the trade that sent lefty Chasen Shreve to the Cardinals, had done little to distinguish himself with the Yankees prior to Friday’s game.
His second stint with the Yankees began when he was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Didi Gregorius was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a left heel contusion.
“When I first came up, I felt like I was trying to do too much,” Voit said. “I was trying to show everyone what I’ve got. I hit the refresh button when I got sent down, and luckily, I got the opportunity to come back up.”
Boone said the Yankees believe Voit can have success against both righties and lefties.
“We acquired him because we think he can hit,” Boone said. “He broke out in a big way. … He’s always got a little swagger and bravado about him, no matter what, and he added to that tonight.”
To make matters worse for Bird, Boone stayed with Ronald Torreyes in the eighth inning rather than pinch-hit with Bird.
Until Bird shows he can be successful — and stay healthy — Voit figures to remain in the mix.
“I know I can hit,” Voit said. “I’ve always hit. I just need to stay within myself and use my hands instead of trying to hit 500-foot home runs.”
But Voit is also 27 and has played just 78 games in the majors. And even after his first multi-homer game, he’s hit seven in his career.
“I hit the ball hard four times tonight,” Voit said. “But, hey, it’s only one game.”



