It was a frustrating first three games for everyone around the New York Yankees organization. From the fans at watch parties or in Yankee Stadium at Game 3 to the coaches in the dugout, watching Freddie Freeman smack homers in all three games and players up and down the lineup struggle was not an enjoyable experience.
But with the series and season on the line, the Yankees came through in full Bombers fashion.
Game 4 started with the obligatory Freeman home run, putting the Dodgers up 2-0 in the first inning and giving Yankees fans that feeling of dread they’ve had the entire series to this point. But thanks to a walk and stolen base from Anthony Volpe, some handywork by Austin Wells, who needed to have a big game after an underwhelming postseason thus far, and Alex Verdugo, who had a garbage time home run in Game 3, the Yankees notched their first of the game.
When the Yankees came up to bat again, the score remained 2-1 in favor of the visitors. A hit-by-pitch issued to Aaron Judge, a single from Jazz Chisholm Jr., and a walk to Giancarlo Stanton set the stage for Anthony Rizzo with one out. In a high-leverage spot, he popped up to the Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman, drawing a groan from the crowd.
Then, it was Volpe’s turn to create a moment of magic and give his childhood team their first lead since the 10th inning of Game 1.
Volpe attended the 2009 World Series parade in New York with his family. Now, he is responsible for his childhood team’s biggest moment in this Fall Classic. He’s also the first player in World Series history to have four RBI and two stolen bases in a single game, along with another achievement as the first Yankee since Tino Martinez to hit a grand slam in a World Series game.
It was also Volpe’s first home run since early September and came on the heels of a baserunning mistake earlier in the game that nearly cost his team a run.
Having a 5-2 lead wasn’t safe against a powerhouse Dodgers team, as they came back and made things interesting after cutting the deficit to 5-4. But a massive solo home run from Wells in the bottom of the sixth put the Yankees up two, and they didn’t look back from there.
Volpe also managed to score another run after a double to left field in the bottom of the eighth. Wells worked a walk, and Volpe stole third base, his second steal of the night. Verdugo came through with a groundball in the infield, but with Volpe’s speed, he scored and added a third insurance run.
The point was moot after that. Gleyber Torres smoked a three-run homer, giving the Yankees a 10-4 lead. Then, Aaron Judge laced an RBI single to reach the eventual final score of 11-4.
Not long ago, Yankees fans could come to The Bronx, walk through the gates of old or new Yankee Stadium, and watch “The Captain” Derek Jeter appear in big games. When his team needed him the most, it felt as if he always capitalized. And while it’s only one game to prevent a sweep, the new face of the Yankees’ shortstop position channeled something every fan of the Bombers who experienced the Jeter era grew accustomed to.
Volpe’s defense has garnered so much attention through his first two seasons in the big leagues, but the postseason is a different animal. While the World Series had not been kind to him up to this point, his bat woke up and, hopefully, sparked his teammates to continue believing in their ability to come back in the series.
