8th Inning Uprising

The Yankees 8th inning rally that produced Tuesday night's win over the Rays will go down as one of the most memorable moments of 2019. Down 3-2 with Gleyber Torres on 1st base and four outs to go, Aaron Judge faced Tampa Bay reliever Colin Poche. After lining a ball about a foot to the wrong side of the foul pole, Judge got a second chance -- and sent this into the cozy right field seats.
Back at the dugout, here's the welcome awaiting him. Judge -- in a magical, dare I saw Mantle-esque way -- turned the game around and ignited the crowd. Not just any game, but the one with the team chasing them from second place. One big swing. Yankees up 4 - 3. Now, using my best TV pitchman's "voice": "Wait! There's MORE!"
Rays manager Kevin Cash didn't pull Poche. Not even after a single and double put two more Yankees on base. Then he ordered an intentional walk of Edwin Encarnacion, who'd homered earlier in the game. Bases full. Two outs. And Poche got to face Didi Gregorius -- who pounced on Poche's 1-2 pitch (go ahead, say that three times fast)...
...and sent it in the game neighborhood that Judge did. Yankees up 8-3. The deal is sealed.
And one more celebration for me to zoom in on. Didi and Encarnacion jump for joy!

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