Joey Gallo continues to show signs of breaking out of slump
The Yankees' Joey Gallo, right, celebrates after hitting a two-run home run as White Sox catcher Reese McGuire looks on during the ninth inning of a game in Chicago on Sunday. Credit: Nam Y. Huh
CHICAGO — It is far too soon to declare Joey Gallo out of his slump, but he does seem headed in that direction.
Gallo blasted his fifth homer — a two-out, two-run shot in the ninth inning that turned a two-run lead into a four-run cushion — and worked a two-out walk in the second inning against Michael Kopech to help spark a three-run inning in the Yankees' 5-1 win over the White Sox on Sunday.
Gallo has reached base at least once in seven straight games and 14 out of his last 16 games. He is 6-for-20 with six walks in the last seven.
Gallo is hitting .202 with a .699 OPS, far from impressive numbers but a dramatic improvement from the .122 average and .356 OPS he had after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in a 4-1 victory over Cleveland on April 22.
“I feel good,” he said. “I’ve felt pretty good all year. Getting some results now, which is good.”
Aaron Boone, who has never wavered publicly when it comes to his confidence in Gallo, continues to be encouraged.
“More good at-bats today,” he said. “Big walk in the three-run inning and obviously the exclamation point there at the end to give us some breathing room. But the quality of at-bats keeps getting better and better, which is good to see.”
Trainer's room
Boone said outfielder Tim Locastro, put on the injured list May 8 with a back strain, is “doing pretty well” considering the tricky nature of back injuries. “It’s one of those things if he plays through could end up really hurting and cost him the year,” Boone said. “So right now it’s just hopefully a couple of more weeks.” . . . Righthander Domingo German, who started the season on the 60-day IL with a right shoulder impingement, is slated to start throwing live batting practice at some point this week.
