A NEW York Yankees star infielder got benched for a playoff game – and he would seem to show his disappointment over the decision after the contest.
The Yankees veteran showed his frustration in the locker room following his team’s 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox in the first game of the AL Wild Card series on Tuesday.
New York Yankees superstar right fielder Aaron Judge runs in from the outfield during his team’s 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card series[/caption]
The Yankees did not place second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the starting lineup in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.
The move came as a surprise, as Chisholm had made the All-Star team for the second time in his career and put up 30-plus home runs and 30-plus steals in the season.
However, the Yankees elected to start right-handed hitter Jose Cabellero at second base over lefty Chisholm, as the team was facing the stud left-hander Garret Crochet.
After the Bronx Bombers’ 3-1 loss, Chisholm was asked about not starting.
“It’s always tough when you’re watching when your team is down,” he told reporters in the clubhouse.
There were also two videos of Chisholm, who strangely had his back turned while moving things around in his locker, to reporters about not starting.
One clip showed Chisholm sharing that manager Aaron Boone texted him on Monday night to tell him he wouldn’t be in the lineup.
“We gotta do whatever we gotta do to win, right?” Chisholm added.
“That’s how I look at it.”
In the other video, when asked if he was stunned by not starting, Chisholm answered, ” I guess, yeah.”
Chisholm would eventually enter the game in the ninth inning.
The 27-year-old was put into a tough situation, however, as he pinch-hit for Amed Rosario in the ninth inning with the bases loaded and one out.
Chisholm hit a fly ball to right field, but Paul Goldschmidt chose not to score with the Yanks down two runs.
Crochet had his way with the Yankees’ lineup as he pitched 7 2/3 innings and held New York to one run on four hits.
Chisholm reacts after flying out with the bases loaded during the ninth inning of Game 1[/caption]
He posted 11 strikeouts while walking no one, and at one point, retired 17 straight batters.
The Red Sox are one win away from eliminating the arch-rival Yankees and advancing to the ALDS to face the Toronto Blue Jays.
Game 2 will be on Wednesday night, and surely Chisholm will be in the lineup for the Yankees’ do-or-die game.
Boston will start Brayan Bello, while New York will give the ball to Carlos Rodon.
