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Giancarlo Stanton already has made an impact in left field — literally.
Stanton made a running catch on Yuriel Gurriel’s fly ball and then his hand temporarily broke part of the scoreboard during the fourth inning of the Yankees’ Game 1 ALCS showdown vs. the Astros on Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Stanton, who already has four putouts, had one rough play so far in left field. In the first inning, Jeremy Peña belted a double to left-center field that he appeared to take a bad route on. It was a tough play, but a more defensive-oriented left fielder may have had a shot to run it down.
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Nevertheless, Stanton, who also doubled in the game, has held his own in his first game in the outfield since July 21 before he dealt with Achilles and foot injuries.
Rookie Oswado Cabrera, who also made three starts in left field in the ALDS, was on the bench for the first time this postseason. Aaron Hicks had started the last two games in left field, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Yankees’ Game 5 win over the Guardians on Tuesday in The Bronx when he collided with Cabrera, who was playing shortstop at the time, going for a bloop to left.
The Yankees and Astros are tied, 1-1, heading into the bottom of the fifth inning.
