Challenge answered on one rain-shortened night.
The Yankees have reached that portion of their schedule during which they must turn it up a notch after a long period of mediocre baseball.
So bring on the terrible teams.
“I think it’s important for guys to understand that we are getting near to the final six weeks,’’ Aaron Boone said before the Yankees’ 7-5 rain-shortened victory over the Blue Jays. “I have had no issue with the guys’ focus and approach and preparation. That needs to continue to be there and maybe heightened a little bit as we start to drive down the stretch here.’’
For the mild-mannered Boone that is essentially a fire and brimstone comment.
His Yankees promptly went out and fell behind 4-0 in the first inning, but came back to beat the dreadful Blue Jays on another rainy night at Yankee Stadium, showing the kind of grit it is going to take to lead them where they want to go.
The game was called with one out in the bottom of the seventh after a one-hour, 25-minute rain delay.
Sure, the Yankees own a 76-46 record, but it’s time to get a little more serious with such pitiful teams as the Marlins, Orioles, White Sox and Tigers following the weekend series against the Blue Jays.
Especially with the 1998 World Championship Yankees in the house on Saturday. That ’98 team was super talented, but also showed super grit — and that’s what these Yankees need to show.
Take advantage of the other team’s weaknesses.
“It was a good test for us, we took a gut punch and punched right back,’’ said Giancarlo Stanton, who lifted his 31st home run and 298th of his career in the seventh, a 435-foot shot to right-center.
That thunder brought rain and after a strikeout by the next batter, Aaron Hicks, play was stopped.
The victory puts the Yankees at 14-14 since July 14 and 26-24 since June 21 when they held a two-game lead over the Red Sox. Yes, that long ago.
With these next 15 games against some of the worst teams in baseball, it’s time to make the most of the situation. No injury excuses. Not against these teams. Not against this inferior level of competition.
It is a positive to see Boone turn up the heat on his team after losing three of the past four at home, including scoring only two runs the previous two games against the Rays.
After all these punching bags comes the Yankees’ next big trip, beginning in Oakland on Sept. 3 when they will be tested. They will begin a 15-game stretch during which they will play nine games against real baseball teams — the Athletics, Mariners and Red Sox.
Use this time now to build to confidence and get healthy with Aaron Judge (his wrist is still aching) and Gary Sanchez (groin) out.
Boone wants to make sure the Yankees take care of business against the soft schedule so when they get to Sept. 3 they are not fighting for their wild-card lives.
The Yankees want to have the first wild card in hand because six of the final 13 games of the season are against the Red Sox, with a three-game series at the Trop against the Rays thrown in there as well.
The Yankees are 12-16 versus the Red Sox and Rays and 64-30 against everyone else.
There were positive signs Friday night. The bullpen bailed out starter Lance Lynn, who gave up four runs in the first inning.
Accidental right fielder Neil Walker drilled a three-run, go-ahead home run in the fourth that put the Yankees on top 5-4. After the Blue Jays tied the score in the fifth, the Yankees went ahead on a Gleyber Torres RBI ground out, thanks in part to a leadoff walk to Hicks by Toronto reliever Joe Biagini, who followed up Marcus Stroman’s horrible performance with nothing but trouble.
That is what you do against bad teams.
Torres doubled to start the fourth-inning rally and said after the game said he is setting up earlier to be ready for the pitch. Good adjustment.
All the poor teams are lined up.
“I thought our at-bats tonight were strong,’’ Boone said.
It’s time. No excuses.