Jon Berti showcased impressive skills in his debut at first base during the New York Yankees’ 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals, which tied their American League Division Series at one game each. With Anthony Rizzo out due to injury, Berti’s performance was critical, as he effectively handled challenging plays.
Berti made a smooth pickup of a difficult grounder from Yuli Gurriel in the second inning and executed a diving grab for an unassisted double play in the sixth, preventing a potential run from scoring. Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Berti’s defensive effort, stating he performed well both defensively and offensively.
Despite going 1-for-4 at the plate, Berti’s defensive contributions stood out, including a remarkable backhand catch off a hard-hit liner by MJ Melendez, followed by stepping on first base to end the inning with a double play.
Berti, who joined the Yankees from Miami prior to the season, has played multiple positions this year, including second base and left field. At 34 years old, he has previously had limited experience at first base, playing only three innings in a spring training game in 2021.
With Rizzo sidelined by injuries, Oswaldo Cabrera had started at first in a previous game, while rookie Ben Rice was also an option after filling in during Rizzo’s earlier absence.
Boone acknowledged the difficulty of the ground ball Berti fielded, commending his ability to handle such a challenging play while adapting to a new position. Rizzo, hoping to return if the Yankees progress to the League Championship Series, had been working with Berti to improve his positioning at first base.
Looking ahead to Game 3 in Kansas City, Boone announced Clarke Schmidt as the starting pitcher, opting for him over Luis Gil. Schmidt, who has shown promise with a 2.85 ERA this season, will succeed Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon in the rotation. Gil, despite his strong strikeout numbers, has struggled with walks.
Boone expressed confidence in Schmidt’s capabilities for the upcoming game, indicating that both pitchers bring valuable skills to the team, with Gil expected to remain in the rotation pending the team’s advancement.