Clint Frazier Hits Mammoth Homer in First Postseason Start
The New York Yankees smashed their way through the wild card round with 22 runs in two games. Clint Frazier, however, really wasn’t a part of the action. He was on the roster and all but Aaron Boone opted for a lefty look in left field and went with Brett Gardner. Frazier was resigned to one pinch-hit appearance (a strikeout) in their wild card series vs. Cleveland.
With leftie Blake Snell on the hill for Tampa Bay in ALDS Game 1, that changed.
Boone gave Frazier the nod in left field, his first-ever postseason start, and he delivered. Batting in the eight-hole, Frazier caught up to a high fastball on the first pitch of his first at-bat and smacked an absolute MOONSHOT. It landed in the second deck at Petco Park and put the Yankees up 2-1.
Prior to the game, Frazier was just 1-for-10 off Snell in his career. It’s also his first time playing an MLB game at Petco Park, home of the Padres.
According to ESPN, the homer off Snell traveled 418 feet.
Later in the game when the Rays inserted a righty, Boone pinch-hit Gardner for Frazier. Gardner struck out, but it’s a luxury that both left fielders are swinging the bat well right now. Gardner hit .375 in the wild card round.