Giancarlo Stanton felt the sweet crack of baseball against bat and just knew, allowing himself a split second to savor the blast as it rocketed toward a terrace area in left-center field, then tossing his bat aside in celebration. This was one worth admiring.
Stanton launched his eighth career grand slam to highlight a five-run fifth inning, and Aaron Judge also lifted his first home run of the year, supporting Jordan Montgomery’s strong effort as the Yankees posted a 7-0 victory over the Orioles on Monday evening at Yankee Stadium.
Monday mash. #SquadUp pic.twitter.com/aDwY6Xv9tc
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 6, 2021
After standing tall as one of the Bombers’ most productive hitters in last year’s playoffs, Stanton heard boos during this season-opening homestand, hitless in his first 10 at-bats before stepping in against Shawn Armstrong. Stanton greeted the right-hander by crushing a 471-foot souvenir that came off his bat at 115.1 mph, his third grand slam as a Yankee.
Judge cleared the short porch in right field with a fourth-inning drive and Aaron Hicks worked a bases-loaded walk in the fifth inning against O’s starter Jorge López, who surrendered four runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Montgomery was stellar in his first start of the season, generating plenty of his trademark soft contact. The left-hander retired 12 of the first 13 batters faced and pitched around trouble in the fifth inning, holding Baltimore to four hits over six frames. Montgomery walked none and struck out seven.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].