The New York Yankees aim to complete a series sweep Thursday night when they face the Baltimore Orioles in the finale at Camden Yards.
The club enters the contest after a 5-3 victory the previous evening. That win marked the 13th major league appearance for rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr.
Lombard Jr. contributed two hits and two RBIs in the game. One of those RBIs came in the eighth inning and put the Yankees ahead.
Manager Aaron Boone has adjusted the lineup for the series closer, making a notable shift involving the young shortstop.
Lombard Jr. remains in the starting lineup and will again man shortstop. After hitting eighth on Wednesday, he moves higher in the batting order.
Boone has slotted him two spots higher, placing him sixth. He will hit behind Jazz Chisholm Jr., who stays in the fifth spot.
The full Yankees lineup for Thursday is as follows:
T. Grisham CF
B. Rice DH
H. Ramos LF
L. García Jr. 1B
J. Chisholm Jr. 2B
G. Lombard Jr. SS
S. Jones RF
A. Wells C
J. Caballero 3B
G. Cole SP
Although Lombard Jr. has played just 13 games, he has already made a strong early impression. His work at the plate and his play in the field have both drawn notice.
On defense, he recorded eight defensive runs saved across his first 11 contests. That figure ranks him among the top five shortstops in the majors even though he has spent only about three weeks at the highest level.
Offensively, Lombard Jr. is hitting .318. He has collected 14 hits, including two home runs, driven in five runs and scored eight times in 44 at-bats.
The promotion in the order reflects the confidence the coaching staff has developed in the rookie. Moving him closer to the heart of the lineup gives him more opportunities in higher-leverage situations.
Yankees fans have watched Lombard Jr. adapt quickly since his call-up. His combination of contact skills and reliable glove work has provided a boost during a stretch of important games.
Thursday’s matchup against the Orioles offers another chance for the young shortstop to build on his solid start. Gerrit Cole is scheduled to take the mound for New York as the team seeks its third straight win in the series.
The adjustment to Lombard Jr.’s spot in the order is one of the more noticeable changes Boone has made recently. It underscores how the organization views the prospect’s readiness to contribute on a consistent basis.
With the regular season progressing, every series carries weight. A sweep in Baltimore would give the Yankees momentum heading into the next stretch of the schedule.
Lombard Jr.’s early numbers and defensive metrics suggest he is settling in well. The elevated batting position could help him further establish himself as a regular presence in the lineup.
Boone and the coaching staff will continue to evaluate the rookie’s progress closely. For now, the decision to move him up reflects the positive results he has delivered so far this month.
