The New York Yankees lost their home series opener to the Boston Red Sox on Friday night. Fans criticized SS Anthony Volpe’s questionable at-bat in the bottom of the ninth inning, with the Yanks trailing 5-3 and facing Boston’s star closer, Aroldis Chapman. Volpe took three straight strikes while looking and didn’t swing at any of the pitches, all mid-placed four-seam fastballs.
A team behind in the final inning and a batter taking three strikes without swinging would definitely turn some heads, especially in the big leagues. Fans responded to Volpe’s disappointing final at-bat, some questioning whether the 25-year-old had placed a wager on the game.
“Who paid Volpe off? A major league hitter would not take 3 pitches in the bottom of the 9th unless he’s in someone’s pocket. “What’s his excuse?” one fan commented.
“I’ll never understand hitters not swinging at pitches down the middle when they are swinging at garbage in the dirt. Stop guessing and swing at strikes,” another fan commented.
“What the hell is Volpe looking at after taking 3 pitches right down the middle? Why is he looking at the outfield after falling asleep? DUH,” yet another fan commented.
Other fans criticized Volpe’s lack of offense this season, claiming his stint in the minors was short-lived and that the New Yorker should be sent down to AAA to regain momentum and consistency at the plate.
“He could have taken an ear of corn to the plate instead of a bat, and exactly nothing would have changed,” one fan commented.
“They should have an AAAA league for guys like him. He’s obviously not progressing,” another fan commented.
“Send his a** to fucking Somerset. I’ve seen too much. He’s not a major leaguer,” yet another fan commented.
Anthony Volpe Has Been Struggling at the Plate This Season
Volpe is currently hitting .220 with 11 hits, including three doubles, one home run, and eight RBIs, along with nine runs scored and five stolen bases over 15 games this season. He has had difficulties against right-handed pitchers, which is notable as the Yankees are about to face Sonny Gray in the series opener.
Against right-handers in 42 plate appearances, Volpe’s batting average drops to .167, with six hits and 12 strikeouts. After losing the series opener on Friday, the Bronx Bombers will now aim to win Game 2 on Saturday to avoid back-to-back series defeats. The Yanks are currently 37-26 on the season, holding the second spot in the AL East standings, 1.5 games behind the division leaders, the Tampa Bay Rays.
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