Overview
- Luis García Jr. started at first base and hit third in his Yankees debut, going 2-for-4 and belting a two-run, go-ahead home run in the seventh inning on a 2-2 changeup from George Soriano.
- The homer energized the crowd and García retrieved the ball in front of friends and family, and he said through an interpreter that the moment is one he will “keep in my heart.”
- New York ultimately lost 13-7 after the St. Louis Cardinals scored seven runs in the eighth inning, a late pitching collapse that negated García’s go-ahead swing.
- General manager Brian Cashman said the trade-deadline pickup improves the offense and adds roster flexibility, addressing a recent stretch in which the Yankees had scored few runs.
- García arrives having posted career highs with 24 home runs and 78 RBIs and strong slugging against righties, a profile the Yankees believe will take advantage of the short right-field porch but will not by itself fix the team’s bullpen problems.