NEW YORK -- Aaron Boone has seen Giancarlo Stanton go on plenty of heaters during their time together in the Bronx, but the slugger’s current run might top the list.
Stanton continued his second-half assault on opposing pitchers, hitting a Statcast-projected 451-foot homer and driving in all five runs for the Yankees in a 5-1 victory over the Nationals on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.
In 30 games since the All-Star break, Stanton is hitting .362 (34-for-94) with 13 home runs and 32 RBIs, posting an OPS of 1.248 in 105 plate appearances. Among all players with at least 100 second-half plate appearances, only Nick Kurtz of the Athletics has a higher OPS (1.264).
“This, I feel like -- and it's saying a lot -- is maybe as good as I've seen him, just consistency-wise,” Boone said prior to the Yankees’ 10th win in their last 14 games. “Consistency of at-bat after at-bat after at-bat. I feel like he is controlling the zone probably as well as I've ever seen him.”
Stanton initially shied away from calling this his best streak since joining the Yankees in 2018, though he said based on the way he feels, it certainly could qualify.
“I haven't taken a huge dive into the underlying numbers, but if that's in conversation, it's a good conversation to have,” Stanton said. “I'm moving forward one day at a time, so I’ve just got to keep it rolling. … Make sure I'm ready [and] don't miss the mistakes.”
While Aaron Judge continues to work through the right flexor strain that has kept him out of right field since July 25, Stanton’s ability to suit up in the outfield -- he’s played right field 11 times since Aug. 9 -- has enabled Boone to write both sluggers’ names into the lineup while Judge has been limited to designated-hitter duties.
“It's been fun being able to contribute on both sides,” Stanton said. “I’m just making sure I’m mentally prepared for all scenarios when the ball is hit towards me.”
“I think he's done a capable job out there,” Boone said of Stanton’s outfield work. “Obviously I've been careful with it, getting him out of games when we do have a lead. Part of that is getting our defense on the field, but also trying to preserve him the best physically as I can.”
Two impactful Stanton at-bats allowed Boone to make that defensive replacement in the top of the seventh on Tuesday night.
With the Yankees trailing, 1-0, Paul Goldschmidt led off the home half of the third with a double, then MacKenzie Gore walked both Judge and Cody Bellinger to load the bases for Stanton.
Stanton, who entered the night with a .340/.483/.745 slash line this season with runners in scoring position, launched a 101.6-mph bullet to left-center, where it split the Nationals’ outfielders before hitting the wall. The 391-foot blast would have been a grand slam in 20 other ballparks, but the three-run double gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead.
“He’s locked in,” Bellinger said. “It seems like every at-bat is a quality at-bat; he hits the ball harder than anyone I've ever seen. It's really, really fun to watch and really impressive.”
The Nationals loaded the bases with one out in the sixth against Fernando Cruz, who returned from the injured list earlier in the day. Cruz struck out Jacob Young, then handed the ball to Tim Hill, who retired James Wood on a grounder to third, preserving the two-run lead.
After watching his bullpen escape that jam, Stanton gave the Yankees some breathing room in the bottom of the sixth, crushing a 112.7-mph, 451-foot rocket into the left-field bleachers against right-hander Orlando Ribalta. It was Stanton's longest homer of the season.
“I like when he walks up there, because I know he's going to be prepared and I know he's going to go execute his plan,” Boone said. “It doesn't obviously mean you get a result, but I know he's going to be convicted; if they slip up, he's going to get you.”
Stanton missed the first 70 games of the season with tennis elbow in both arms, but he’s been a key part of the Yankees’ offense since his return in mid-June. Stanton now has 17 homers and 46 RBIs in 51 games this season, posting a 1.051 OPS over 163 at-bats.
“It’s insanely impressive,” Bellinger said. “Him and Judge, they can do things offensively that not many guys can do. It’s such a rare sight, it's really fun to watch and see with your own eyes.”