ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Aaron Hicks’ nightmarish season continued Sunday, though not in the best way you may think.
The slumping middle fielder went hitless once more, however in back-to-back RBI conditions, Hicks hit the ball laborious and nonetheless got here up empty.
He first lined out to 3rd with two on and nobody out within the sixth after which bumped into extra unhealthy luck within the eighth.
With the Yankees down by two runs and Gleyber Torres on third, Hicks hit a screamer again up the center, however Taylor Partitions, taking part in second base, made a terrific diving play and throw to first for the ultimate out.
“It was an awesome at-bat and an awesome play,’’ Aaron Boone mentioned.
It was the newest in a string of tough video games for Hicks, who’s missed loads of time in latest seasons attributable to quite a lot of accidents.
And although he was wholesome this season till being sidelined by proper hamstring tightness, hitting coach Dillon Lawson mentioned he believes the dearth of plate appearances since 2018 continues to have an effect.
“He’s making an attempt to get again to his regular self after being out and in [of the lineup] over the previous couple of years for one cause or one other,” Lawson mentioned. “Issues change even if you don’t imply for them to. Your regular feels totally different than it used to. We’re making an attempt to get him again to the place he was earlier than.”
It’s been a very long time coming.
After ending with a .627 OPS final season earlier than being shut down due to a torn sheath in his wrist, Hicks entered Sunday with a .577 OPS on the season with solely two extra-base hits.
And he was simply 14-for-87 with a double, 4 RBIs, 14 walks and 27 strikeouts in his earlier 29 video games.
“We’re wanting again at what made him, him,’’ Lawson mentioned. “When he was hitting .270 with 25 dwelling runs and we’re making an attempt to get him again to that.”
Currently, Boone mentioned he’s seen Hicks get away from his typical method.
“I really feel like he’s pressed in sure conditions,’’ Boone mentioned earlier than the sport. “Controlling the strike zone has been an indicator by his profession and at instances [recently], he’s tried to chase that hit a bit bit. That may get you in hassle as a hitter. Typically you need it so unhealthy, you begin taking part in into the palms of the pitcher.”
Hicks had two multi-hit video games in his earlier 4 begins previous to Sunday.
“The final couple days earlier than he sat out, we felt like he was getting higher,’’ Lawson mentioned. “There’s stuff to be enthusiastic about.”
He’s been extra productive as a right-handed hitter, with a .758 OPS in 42 plate appearances, however simply .501 in 99 plate appearances from the left facet.
Batting as a righty in opposition to southpaw Shane McClanahan on Sunday, Hicks flied out to proper and struck out earlier than arising with two on and nobody out within the sixth.
He turned on a pitch, however lined it proper to 3rd.
Total, Hicks is hitting the ball within the air lower than ever earlier than and his exit velocity is down barely.
“He has an expectation for himself and when he doesn’t meet that, he takes it personally,’’ Lawson mentioned. “He’s gonna hold working. Lots of people would shut down and quit, however he’s spending a lot time within the video room and going over pregame info. He’s doing further periods within the cage to ensure he can really feel proper as quickly as potential.”
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