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The New York Yankees had to grind out a win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday without manager Aaron Boone after the 51-year-old was ejected four batters into the game. Boone was tossed for arguing an interference call that led to a double play for the Angels.
Juan Soto was retreating to second base as Angels shortstop Zach Neto camped under the ball. Neto misjudged it though and backed up toward the base just as Soto approached. The two collided and Neto dropped the ball. The infield fly rule was called because the bases were loaded with no outs and Soto was called out for interfering with Neto.
The call had a big impact on the inning as the Yankees failed to score a run after loading the bases with no outs. New York eventually went on to win the game 2-1 and improved to an American League-best 38-19.
Boone admitted after the game that the call was right “by the letter of the law.” He was frustrated to get ejected after a “wonky” play and that the Yankees did not score in the first.
“I don’t know what Juan [is supposed to do],” Boone said, per the Associated Press. “You can say, ‘He’d better get there,’ but once he commits to getting there and he’s trying to stay out of the way, if Neto catches it, he might catch it on the bag for a double play. It's like, ‘Where do you go?”
Neto said there was no intent to interfere with him. It was an unfortunate play for the Yankees, but one they were able to overcome to secure a victory.
It was the third time Boone was ejected this season and the 36th time in his seven-year managerial career.
Yankees back to winning ways
Baseball feels a little strange when the Yankees aren’t winning. After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016 last year, the Yankees look determined to right the ship this season and contend for the American League pennant.
New York could win its 40th game before June and be in the driver's seat for the AL East crown as the halfway point approaches. Hot on their heels are the Baltimore Orioles though, 100-game winners a season ago who are hungry to prove they belong in the ‘elite' conversation.
If the Yankees continue to hit the way they've been they should be able to beat anyone. Soto has a .990 OPS while Aaron Judge's sits at 1.020. Anthony Volpe is on a 21-game hitting streak and Giancarlo Stanton found his power stroke again.
The Yankees have hit more home runs than any other team and lead the MLB in OPS. They're also tops in team ERA despite ace and reigning Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole being out with an injury.
Almost everything has to click for a team to be successful in both the regular season and playoffs. The Yankees believe they have the recipe to make a deep run in October, one that eluded them last season.
There aren’t many teams, if any, you can put above the Yankees if they keep playing like this. Having a top-three offense and pitching staff is a luxury few teams have ever been able to claim. New York has the talent to make that a season-long statistic but can they stay healthy?
Injuries are perhaps the only thing that can slow down the Yankees in 2024. Otherwise, New York looks like a well-oiled machine destined to make a run at the World Series.
