The Yankees finally have figured out how to win in The Bronx.
After a first half in which they consistently had problems at Yankee Stadium, they have rattled off three straight victories at home — and they are aware that must continue if they hope to contend in the AL East.
“If we’re gonna get to the playoffs, we’re gonna have to win at home,” Joe Girardi said.
They’ll have to do plenty of other things, as well, but after going just 18-23 in The Bronx before the All-Star break, the Yankees have at least gotten off to a good start.
And not a moment too soon, according to David Robertson.
“We needed to,” Robertson said. “We’ve been road warriors, winning a lot of games on the road. At home, we should win more games. It just hasn’t worked out that way.”
Whatever the reason, Robertson said he had remained confident they would turn things around.
“It was only a matter of time before it changed,” Robertson said. “We need to get it going here.”
Brian McCann, in his first season in The Bronx, is already well-versed in how the Yankees put their teams together — since he was signed because his left-handed swing suits the Stadium.
“Our team is built for this ballpark,” McCann said. “We’re gonna have to win at home.”
Especially since, as Jacoby Ellsbury pointed out, that’s where the majority of the rest of their games are.
“In the second half, we play so many games at home, we kind of have to,” Ellsbury said.
If anyone was still holding their breath for Michael Pineda’s return, stop.
“He’s thrown one live [batting practice] and I think he’s scheduled to throw another one,” Girardi said of Pineda, who has been out with a strained muscle near his right shoulder since May. “Then you might start to see him throw a couple innings, depending on how that goes.”
Carlos Beltran has said he’s feeling better at the plate, but the Yankees continue to hold off in getting him started on a throwing program because of his bothersome right elbow and forearm. Girardi did say on Sunday that Beltran’s program “could probably start happening soon.”
Until then, Ichiro Suzuki will see a lot of playing time in right field. He snapped an 0-for-18 slump with a single up the middle in the sixth.
Prior to the game, Girardi provided some lukewarm praise for Ichiro.
“He’s had a pretty decent year and he’s played a lot as of late,” the manager said. “And I know I have to give him a day off every once in a while. He’s been an everyday player for us.”