PITTSBURGH — The Yankees’ offense is rolling so good right now that their No. 9 batter has been their most productive hitter in the last two games.
On Friday, it was Oswaldo Cabrera.
On Saturday, it was Trent Grisham, the center fielder known more for his glove but whose bat is off to a torrid start to the season.
Continuing to take advantage of early playing time, Grisham clubbed a pair of home runs to spearhead another offensive outburst as the Yankees drubbed the Pirates 10-4 on a drizzly Saturday at PNC Park.
After drilling a solo shot in the third inning that put the Yankees (6-2) up 2-0, he ripped an opposite-field three-run homer in the fifth that put the Yankees back on top, 5-4, for good.
Through Saturday, Grisham has now taken 21 plate appearances this season, batting 8-for-16 with three home runs and a 1.725 OPS.
Last year, he did not collect his 21st plate appearance until April 28, the Yankees’ 29th game of the season.
“He’s just got a really good look to him,” manager Aaron Boone said before this series began. “I feel like his swing’s been in a good spot, obviously what he brings in the outfield. I love how he looks right now. He’s obviously playing really well and I’m glad I’ve been able to get him some real opportunities.”
After Grisham’s second home run of the day, the Yankees loaded the bases for Anthony Volpe, who continued his own strong start by lofting a three-run double to the gap that blew the game open, 8-4.
Volpe, who added a second double in the ninth inning, had only home runs accounting for his four hits through five games. In three games since, he has six hits (three doubles) that have all stayed in the park.
Paul Goldschmidt also continued to produce, going 3-for-4 with a double, walk and RBI out of the leadoff spot.
Marcus Stroman cruised early, facing one over the minimum through the first three innings before his outing derailed in the fourth.
He walked three batters, all of which came around to score, and got tagged for a pair of doubles — the second one from Enmanuel Valdez that just missed being a grand slam, instead going for a two-run double that put the Pirates up 3-2.
But like many of the Yankees’ starters this season, Stroman’s offense picked him up.
Saturday marked the third straight game the Yankees have scored nine or more runs, hitting that mark (or higher) in five of their first eight games of the season.
As was the case on Friday, the bottom of the Yankees’ order had a hand in the damage.
The six-run fifth inning started with Jasson Domínguez lacing a double down the right-field line, with Oswald Peraza (in his first start of the season) singling before Grisham’s three-run shot.
The Yankees jumped ahead 1-0 in the second inning thanks to Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s speed and another great at-bat by Austin Wells.
Chisholm was hit by a pitch, stole second and then came around to score when Wells singled up the middle after fouling off four straight pitches in a 1-2 count.
