Former Met, Travis d'Arnaud, returned to New York City in a big way Monday night.
Anthony J. Causi
In a match up against the two best teams in the American League East, d'Arnaud obliterated the Bronx Bombers with 3 HRs.
The match up was tight throughout. James Paxon had a good outing for the Yankees, yielding two of d'Arnaud's homeruns. In spite of that, the Yankees were in position to win the game.
Aroldis Chapman came in for the save in the 9th. Sporting a 4-2 lead, this is usually money in the bank.
Chapman gave up two hits yet recovered to strike out the next two hitters. Up came d"Arnaud as Tampa's final option.
The at bat was a 10 pitch affair. On the 10th pitch, d'Arnaud hit a ball in the air to right center. In most parks, this would be of comfort to Chapman. Unfortunately, this is not most parks but Yankee Stadium, where fly balls to right end up out of the park.
d'Arnaud circled the bases a hero for the Rays. His 3 HR, 5 RBI performance was all of the Rays offense.
More importantly, it pulled Tampa within 5 games of the Yankees in a suddenly tightening AL East race.