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NY Post
New York Post
9 Apr 2023


NextImg:Unlikely contributors, strong Jhony Brito outing lift Yankees over Orioles

BALTIMORE — The Yankees found hope at the bottom Saturday night.

A pair of hitters who were at the end of the lineup and down on their luck came through for the most critical swings of their seasons so far.

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No. 7 hitter Aaron Hicks, who was searching for playing time, and No. 9 hitter Anthony Volpe, who was after his first extra-base hit in the majors, both found what they were looking for to help lift the Yankees to a 4-1 victory at Camden Yards, setting up a Sunday matinee rubber game.

Volpe and Hicks, who entered play a combined 3-for-28 (all the hits by Volpe), showed hope of snapping out of their funks.

The Yankees’ offense, which also included a Giancarlo Stanton solo home run in the fifth inning that cushioned the lead, made five strong, one-run innings by rookie Jhony Brito stand up.

Hicks, who was starting for just the third time this season, seemingly remained buried on the depth chart after another corner outfielder, Willie Calhoun, was called up earlier in the day.

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The 33-year-old Hicks has been open about his frustration over the lack of a role. He has been reduced to a part-time gig typically against opposing lefties.

Against opposing lefty Cole Irvin, Hicks heard boos — and not from Orioles fans — when he stepped up in the fourth inning with the Yankees down 1-0.

Jhony Brito pitches during the Yankees’ win over the Orioles on April 8.
USA TODAY Sports

But with two outs and Anthony Rizzo on third, Hicks got a fastball in the middle of the plate and grounded a single up the middle for his first hit and RBI of the season, tying the score.

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“You just got to make the most of your opportunities,” Hicks, who went 1-for-4, said before he made the most of one of his opportunities.

The score was still tied in the fifth inning when Volpe, who was in a 1-for-15 skid that included seven strikeouts, blasted a triple off the right-field wall for the first extra-base hit of his short major league career.

One pitch later, DJ LeMahieu crushed a double down the left field line that knocked in Volpe, who scored his third career run, this one to give the Yankees the lead.

Ever since manager Aaron Boone dubbed the 21-year-old the Yankees’ shortstop, Volpe has been under a microscope that has analyzed his every play.

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Volpe’s glove work has been solid, if not spectacular, over his first eight games, but his bat had lagged until his big triple Saturday.

“One of the reasons Anthony’s here is obviously we believe in the player, but as much as that we believe in the person,” Boone said before the game. “So anytime a guy comes up, we realize there’s a chance for struggles. … He’s fine. He’ll get through it, he’s a great player. He’s going to be a great player.”

Anthony Volpe triples during the Yankees' win over the Orioles on April 8.

Anthony Volpe triples during the Yankees’ win over the Orioles on April 8.
AP

On what became a nice day for redemption, Michael King pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh innings, though the righty again lacked his 2022 velocity.

King, returning from a fractured elbow that ended his 2022 season in July, threw a four-seamer that averaged about 3 mph slower than it registered last year.

Nevertheless, the righty struck out three and let up just one hit in his two innings.

Wandy Peralta pitched a scoreless eighth before Clay Holmes picked up his second save of the season with a drama-free ninth.

The bullpen’s strength helped ensure Brito’s work mattered.

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Giancarlo Stanton rounds the bases after homering in the Yankees' win over the Orioles on April 8.

Giancarlo Stanton rounds the bases after homering in the Yankees’ win over the Orioles on April 8.
AP

Brito, who is only pitching because of a crush of injuries to Carlos Rodon, Luis Severino and Frankie Montas, was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earlier Saturday.

He allowed the first run of his short career in the first inning.

Cedric Mullins led off with a single, Adley Rutschman hit a comebacker that put runners on the corners and Anthony Santander lofted a sacrifice fly.

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But the Orioles were silent after that manufactured run.

DJ LeMahieu hits an RBI double during the Yankees' win over the Orioles on April 8.

DJ LeMahieu hits an RBI double during the Yankees’ win over the Orioles on April 8.
AP

Brito allowed three hits and two walks while striking out two, relying upon his defense — including a dazzling, diving play by LeMahieu in the second inning to retire Rutschman — and not looking much like a 25-year-old making his second career start.

Brito, Hicks and Volpe led the Yankees to their fifth win of the season, which would have been stunning a month ago — or even a few days ago.