Inside The Pinstripes

Rougned Odor Plays Hero in First Game With Yankees

New York Yankees second baseman Rougned Odor delivers a game-winning RBI single in his Yankees debut as New York avoids getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays

Max Goodman

Stepping in with runners on the corners and two men out in the 10th, Rougned Odor had a chance to put his new team in front.

Odor had started the day 0-for-4 out of the six spot in the Yankees' lineup. This extra-inning opportunity, however, was different. 

The second baseman delivered a go-ahead RBI single, blooping a 3-2 pitch from Rays right-hander Collin McHugh into shallow center field.

That opened the floodgates for New York's slumping offense as the Yankees added three more runs in the 10th, taking a commanding 8-4 lead. They went on to win by that very score, fending off a sweep and escaping Tropicana Field with a win.

"Just a great, great at-bat by Rougie there to keep battling, to fight one off and then to add some important add on runs when obviously, we're depleted in the bullpen today," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after the win. "Just really good finishing at-bats and winning at-bats there at the end. Great job by the guys."

Odor worked his way back from a 1-2 count, fouling off a tough slider before getting just enough of a cutter to bring home the go-ahead run. The second baseman said his goal was to put the ball in play, not think of his first four at-bats and work through the middle of the field.

"I was just trying to use the big part of the field and that's what I did," he said. "Trying to drive that run in to help the team to win."

It was Odor's first hit in a Yankees uniform, coming in his first start with the club. He was acquired by New York in a trade with the Rangers just under one week ago after spending the first seven seasons of his big-league career in Texas.

Yankees View Rougned Odor as 'Talented' Addition With Plenty of Upside

His new teammates singled out the energy that Odor has already brought to this club. 

"He's a guy that brings some versatility, he's gonna have some great at-bats," Aaron Judge said. "Today, he was fouling off some tough pitches, he's aggressive. That's what you need. You need a guy like that and especially in a situation where we need someone to step up. He took it right there, stepped up and drove in the run for us."

Asked if being designated for assignment by the Rangers earlier this month motivated him to play even better with the Yankees, Odor said he's just trying to be himself. If Sunday's effort was any indication, he'll be a welcomed addition to this Yankees roster going forward.

"I'm just trying to play the game the way that I play the game all the time, trying to bring the energy that I have to the team," Odor said. "That's what I did today. I feel really good."

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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