Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton makes highly anticipated return in 9th inning vs. Rays

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Giancarlo Stanton made his long-awaited return to the New York Yankees lineup Saturday, stepping into the batter’s box for the first time in more than five months. The veteran slugger did not deliver the game-tying hit, but Aaron Boone liked what he saw in Stanton’s first at-bat back.

Stanton pinch-hit for Ryan McMahon to lead off the ninth inning of the Yankees’ 1-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. Facing Rays closer Bryan Baker, Stanton fouled off the first pitch before striking out on a 96 mph fastball.

The 36-year-old had not played since April 24, when he suffered a right calf strain while running the bases against the Houston Astros. He later aggravated that injury before suffering a separate left calf strain during his rehabilitation in August.

Despite the long layoff, Boone felt Stanton looked comfortable against Baker.

“I thought he had a really good at-bat,” Boone said. “I thought he was on all four pitches… he was seeing the changeup well, I thought he got a good swing off right out of the bat.”

Stanton was included on New York’s roster for the Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox but did not appear in either game. The Yankees kept him available for the ALDS as a potential pinch-hitting option.

His opportunity nearly came in the eighth inning. After Austin Wells broke up Drew Rasmussen’s no-hitter with a double, Boone said Stanton would have hit for McMahon if Wells had remained at second. Instead, Wells was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple.

Related: Yankees manager Aaron Boone admits Austin Wells made a mistake but vs. Drew Rasmussen it didn’t matter

Related: Yankees catcher Austin Wells explains rationale behind doomed triple attempt vs. the Rays

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