Another postseason game, another key RBI from Gleyber Torres.
The one in Saturday’s 8-2 win over the Twins in Game 2 of the ALDS may not have been as critical as his two-run double that gave the Yankees the lead for good on Friday, but it was another example of the durability Torres has shown throughout his second year in the majors.
And both hits came off Minnesota right-hander Tyler Duffey. After Torres battled back from an 0-2 count to rip a double on a 3-2 fastball Friday, he again fought off a slider and a sinker before hammering another Duffey fastball.
Aaron Boone said Torres put himself in position to make such a significant impact on the series because of what he did following his rookie year.
“Gleyber had a great offseason,’’ Boone said before Saturday’s victory in The Bronx. “He worked really hard. He took a lot of pride this year being able to post.”
Boone was referring to the fact Torres played 144 games, one shy of the team high, set by DJ LeMahieu.
And Torres is still productive in October, the second postseason for the 22-year-old.
Gleyber TorresCharles Wenzelberg/New York Post“He played through things,’’ Boone said, referring to the core injuries that Torres suffered, but that didn’t send him to the injured list.
The RBIs against Minnesota are the first in the postseason in Torres’ young career after he failed to drive in a run in the Yankees’ five playoff games a year ago — though he had a hit in all four of their games in an ALDS loss to the Red Sox.
Torres clearly didn’t want to have the same result this time around.
“He talked to me about working hard all winter to put himself in this position,’’ Boone said. “To be there every day and continue to build off last year. He had focus and concentration during the winter in the gym. And the baseball stuff he did was really good for his development.”
It’s all part of the approach Torres brings to the game, which stands out to Boone and his teammates nearly as much — if not more — than his talent.
“He expects a lot of himself,’’ Boone said.
“To do what he’s doing, especially at this time of year, when he’s still just 21 or 22 years old?” Aaron Judge said. “I was still in Class-A Charleston when I was his age, still trying to figure out how to play the game at that level. And here he is doing it in the playoffs on the biggest stage in the game. It’s incredible, when you think about it.’’




