Wednesday night saw the Yankees offense explode for the first time in a long time, pushing across 10 runs in their 10-5 win over the Mariners.
The game-changer was Spencer Jones' game-changing double in the third inning, which shifted the momentum and got the Yankees back in the game. With the team down 4-1, Jones came up against Bryce Miller with two outs and two runners on, and he drove a 97 mph fastball down the left field wall to drive in two.
Manager Aaron Boone pointed out the hit as a turning point in the game, saying "Miller beat him up with the fastball up with the punch in the first, but the more he saw in the second at-bat, laid off some tough ones. Found his timing with the fastball….really big at-bat to get us back in the game and the guys took it from there."
Jones himself credited his growing comfort at the plate, saying "Feeling more comfortable, feeling better. Better queues, kinda working through some stuff. And starting to do what I do." He explained that those "queues" are what his body is doing at the plate: the stance, the swings and how his body feels. Since those have clicked, he's remembering how to move his body and his swing to mirror when he's seen success in his career.
With more starts and at-bats, Jones is becoming more comfortable facing major league pitching, and Boone praised his adaptability at this level, saying "Having professional at-bats every day. He understands some of his strengths and weaknesses. He’s done a good job of having a plan up there, and knowing what the pitcher’s strengths and weaknesses are."
The Yankees are trying to win without some of their top bats in Cody Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, and Jones has stepped in and delivered production in their stead, especially in the clutch. After his two doubles, Jones is hitting .282/.391/.590 (.981 OPS) in 46 PA with men on base this season, according to Katie Sharp.
Jones also credited his ability to hit with runners in scoring position to his relaxed approach at the plate, saying "I learned when I was young, when there’s runners on base, there’s really no pressure on you, the pressure is on the pitcher on the mound. That’s how I always framed it. Guys are going to try and get you out; they’ll put stuff over the plate. And as long as you do your job and don’t go chasing, you’ll get a pitch to hit."
This stretch is the longest runway Jones has had in the majors, and he's making the most of it, recording 10 RBI over his last 13 games. He's also found a more relaxed approach at the plate, saying "I need to slow things down. You try so hard to do a lot of things. For me, I’m a chill bird. I just need to relax and allow myself to do what I do and not force things."
Source: Yahoo Sports