On a day where Masahiro Tanaka looked like he could win on his own, Carlos Beltran provided the only help he would need.
While the first-year ace put on another impressive performance in his first major league season, Beltran — the first-year Yankee — continued doing what he has done throughout his 17-year career, blasting a first-inning home run and giving Tanaka the only offense necessary in the team’s 3-0 win over the Cubs in the first game of Wednesday’s day-night doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.
Beltran, who went 1-for-3 with a walk, entered Wednesday night with a team-high four home runs, nine RBI’s and .667 slugging percentage, having homered in three straight games.
“Right now I feel good at the plate, just seeing the ball good, having good results,” said Beltran. “It’s always great anytime you’re able to contribute to help the team win. When you’re swinging the bat well, good things are happening for you, you just develop a little bit of confidence, knowing every at-bat is going to be a positive one.”
Facing Jason Hammel with one out in the bottom of the first inning, Beltran jumped on a 1-1 changeup and belted it into the right-field stands, propelling the Yankees to their third straight win.
Coming off a season that could compete with those from his prime — batting .296 with 24 home runs in St. Louis — the 36-year-old has needed no adjustment in returning to an increased spotlight, having hit all four homers in the Bronx, with three coming from the left side.
The short porch in right may not have been a factor in Beltran’s decision to return to New York, but it may increase the odds of the Yankees avoiding another disappointing season.
“I didn’t make my decision based on the right porch, I made my decision based on having the opportunity to win a championship,” said Beltran. “It’s just there. I don’t think about it. I just want to put good at-bats. If it happens to go that way, it happens to leave the ballpark, thank God for that, but I can’t think about that. I have to stick to my approach and hit the ball hard.”