The New York Yankees have been going through a rough slide, but perhaps they got the needed turning point in a title-hopeful season on Wednesday night.
Trailing 7-4 in the bottom of the 10th inning, Josh Donaldson hit a walk-off grand slam to give the Yankees an 8-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Josh Donaldson walk-off grand slam with the Yankees trailing the Rays by 3 in the 10th! ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/Ol9OkDiEao
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 18, 2022
Aroldis Chapman allowed three runs in the top of the 10th inning, and the Yankees appeared to be on the way to their 12th loss in 14 games.
But (with Aaron Judge starting the inning on second base) Gleyber Torres singled, Anthony Rizzo walked, and then Donaldson cranked the game-winning slam.
Tampa Bay reliever Jalen Beeks (who entered the game with an excellent 2.25 ERA) failed to record an out before allowing the four runs (three earned).
What would’ve been another frustrating loss for the Yankees turned into what will be one of the most memorable wins of the season.
The Yankees are still in fine shape in the grand scheme of things, with a 73-45 record and a 10-game lead in the AL East. But they “needed” a win like this to get their mojo back, and maybe they’ll return to playing like the juggernaut they appeared to be a few weeks ago.
Here’s a look at how the baseball world is reacting to Donaldson’s heroics and the Yankees’ walk-off win:
The only other walk-off grand slams to win when down 3 runs in Yankees history: Babe Ruth in 1925, Jason Giambi in 2002, and Josh Donaldson in 2022.
I had to scream into my pillow when Giambi hit his because I didn't want to wake up my roommate or her boyfriend. Hahaha. https://t.co/HnTkhK4Mf7
— Stacey with an e (@StaceGots) August 18, 2022
Man, oh MAN did they need it! #RepBX https://t.co/Jf4FvwTQiN
— Jason Guerette (@JPGuerette) August 18, 2022
Walk-off grand slam, Josh Donaldson.
Yankees needed that one.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 18, 2022
Josh Donaldson knew that one was gone the moment he hit it. Huge hit for the Yankees, huge hit for Donaldson, who had been hearing it from the home crowd of late. His biggest hit of the season lifts the Yankees to a much needed win.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) August 18, 2022
It was also Donaldson's 14th career walk-off plate appearance.
That is the most by any player since he entered the league in 2010. https://t.co/uR3uDtXlTS
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 18, 2022
Yankees walk-off wins this season:
Donaldson 1B (4/8)
Torres 1B (4/23)
Torres HR (5/8)
Judge HR (5/10)
Trevino 1B (5/24)
Donaldson SF (6/5)
Trevino 1B (6/10)
Rizzo HR (6/16)
Judge 1B (6/23)
Judge HR (6/26)
LeMahieu scores on WP (7/13)
Judge HR (7/28)
Donaldson HR (Tonight)— New York Yankees Stats (@nyyankeesstats) August 18, 2022
Chapman gets a win lol can we rethink how we give that stat out yet
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) August 18, 2022
