George Lombard Jr. launches home run as Yankees debut gets off to electrifying start
In every stage of his journey to the majors, George Lombard Jr. initially struggled offensively before figuring out opposing pitching at the level.
Read more George Lombard Jr. has long prepared for the Yankees challenge now facing him: ‘Bred for this’
It took him one at-bat in his Yankees debut to make the adjustment.
After a third-inning groundout, Lombard stepped up in the fifth inning for his second career at-bat and smoked a solo home run into the left field seats for his first hit, homer, RBI, run scored and electrifying moment in The Bronx.
Facing St. Louis’ Hunter Dobbins, Lombard dug an 0-2 hole with a couple foul balls, then watched a sweeper get too much of the plate.
Read more George Lombard Jr.’s Yankees debut comes with slick double play
He blasted it for a 2-0 lead and allowed a small smile as he rounded the bases while his parents hugged in the stands.
Officially called up earlier Tuesday as Anthony Volpe was sent down, the 21-year-old Lombard already had begun to prove himself with his glove, jump-starting a pair of slick double plays in the first five innings.
Read more George Lombard Jr. gives the Yankees everything they’d been missing in dazzling debut
