Chris Young was under no illusions. The Yankees outfielder knew his primary purpose would be hitting against lefties, as he did Friday when Seattle started rookie Mike Montgomery.
“He’s been as good as anyone on our team [against lefties], and it’s not just been singles,” manager Joe Girardi said. “It’s been homers and doubles, like he did tonight.”
Young homered leading off the second inning and doubled and scored in the fourth to provide the early offense in the Yankees’ 4-3 victory over Seattle at Yankee Stadium.
Young, banished from the Mets 11 months ago, is very grateful for his chance in The Bronx. And that chance is no longer just limited to lefties in the wake of Carlos Beltran going on the disabled list with an oblique stain.
“Lately, I’ve been playing against the righties. These past three weeks I feel I’ve gotten plenty of playing time, so no complaints,” Young said. “But if it is only lefties, that is a different situation because there are only so many lefties. Some staffs don’t even have one [starter]. That affects things if your at-bats are weeks apart against lefty closers or eighth-inning guys.”
But it hasn’t mattered for Young, who drove his 11th homer of the season off a full-count fastball. He then nearly had No. 12, but his bid hit off the wall in left. He settled for a double and scored a batter later on Chase Headley’s single.
That double gave Young his 13th multihit game of the season. A guy like that probably could be put to good use in say, Queens, where the Mets are generally starved for offense. Young just doesn’t give the Mets a second thought.
“Honestly not at all,” Young said. “And not intentionally. I don’t intentionally avoid looking. It’s just I’m so outside of the National League circle.
“I’m happy I’ve just been able to get the opportunity,” he said. “That’s the main thing, to get consistent at-bats. … If I slow down, I still get the opportunity to go back out there and find my way out of it. Consistent at-bats has always been the biggest one for me and I’m grateful Joe has given me the opportunity.”
Against lefties and righties.
