“In moments of pressure” – Yankees manager Aaron Boone uses Joey Gallo as pinch hitter against Edwin Diaz

“In moments of pressure” – Yankees manager Aaron Boone uses Joey Gallo as pinch hitter against Edwin Diaz

Joey Gallo and Edwin Diaz

With two outs and a man on first in the top of the eighth inning and right-hander, Adam Ottavino on the mound for the Mets, Yankees manager Aaron Boone chose to remove shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa from the game and pinch hit with outfielder Joey Gallo. As soon as Gallo walked out of the dugout wearing a helmet, Mets manager Buck Showalter strode to the mound, summoning closer Edwin Diaz for a four-out save.

Gallo was struck out on five pitches, effectively ending the threat. Diaz went on to strike out all three batters in the ninth inning, securing the Mets’ 6-3 victory. When asked about the controversial move after the game, Boone stood firm.

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“You’ve got Ottavino in there, who’s obviously a tough righty. It’s not about getting a hit in that situation, it’s about getting on,” Boone said. “That’s the Ottavino component, and then, forcing their hand to at least get the closer in there for a four-out situation. It’s not a tying run on second. It’s we need two runs, man on first. Otto is pretty tough against righties. It’s an on-base situation, and I felt like Joey gives us a shot at that.“

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To be fair, despite all of Gallo’s flaws this season, plate discipline is one of his strongest assets. Furthermore, when he makes contact, he has the ability to leave any ballpark. That’s what happens when a slugger like Gallo has such a strained relationship with baseball’s three most likely outcomes.

Also Read: “Unlikely to re-sign” Shohei Ohtani willing to be traded, Mets extends hand towards Angels for a trade

“He was the better option” Isiah Kiner-Falefa agrees with Joey Gallo

Joey Gallo and Kiner-Falefa as they score in Pittsburgh

After the game, Kiner-Falefa agreed that Gallo was the better option in that situation because he has the ability to tie the game with one swing.

“Joey has been one of the best power hitters in the game these last couple of years. I’ve got zero [home runs],” he said. “There’s nothing I can say. Give him an opportunity to tie the game right there and if I get a single or something, we’re still down two runs. It’s nice to have somebody on the bench like that that has the power he does.“

Regardless, the game was not decided in the eighth. New York got off to a bad start when starter Jordan Montgomery allowed five runs to score in 2.1 innings of work. Furthermore, New York went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position on the night, leaving a total of 10 runners on base.

Also Read: “Cried in the clubhouse” Roger Clemens seen weeping after pitching the bat at Mike Piazza, reveals Joe Torre

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