Slumping Sánchez benched for 3rd time in 4 games by Yankees

By: The Associated Press Posted: 2:36 PM CDT Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020 Last Modified: 3:35 PM CDT Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020

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SAN DIEGO - Slumping catcher Gary Sánchez was benched by the Yankees for the third time in four games, with New York facing elimination from the post-season in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against Tampa Bay.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/10/2020 (1857 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SAN DIEGO – Slumping catcher Gary Sánchez was benched by the Yankees for the third time in four games, with New York facing elimination from the post-season in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against Tampa Bay.

Kyle Higashioka was behind the plate to catch left-hander Jordan Montgomery on Thursday night. Higashioka, batting ninth, entered 2 for 7 in the series with a solo homer in New York’s Game 1 win and 3 for 12 with one RBI in the post-season.

Sánchez, a 27-year-old who is a two-time All-Star, hit .147 this season, which would have been lowest in the majors by far if he had enough at-bats to qualify. He was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts in Game 2, dropping to 1 for 9 in the post-season.

New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka (66) is congratulated by third base coach Phil Nevin after hitting a solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning in Game one of a baseball American League Division Series Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

“Another close call for me. It comes down to more Kyle earning these opportunities,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Feel like he’s providing enough for us offensively and doing a great job behind the plate. Honestly felt like I could have gone with Gary, as well, and would have felt good about that. But in the end after just contemplating it, talking with some coaches a little bit, felt like this was the way I want to go today.”

Higashioka caught ace Gerrit Cole in the opener as the Yankees won 9-3 and Masahiro Tanaka in Game 3 as New York lost 8-4.

Higashioka hit .250 with four homers and 10 RBIs in 48 at-bats during the regular season and is a better defender than Sánchez.

Boone said he did not speak with Sánchez about the decision before announcing it. He still views Sánchez as an important component.

“If we’re going to go on and win a world’s championship, Gary’s going to play a big role and have a big moment or a big at-bat or a big performance behind the plate for us,” Boone said. “And I view that as as the case moving forward, if and when we’re able to advance.”