The Yankees stole six bases Sunday, the most they’d swiped in a game since 2013.
But it was one they didn’t get that bothered Anthony Volpe most in a 4-1 loss to the Reds at the Stadium.
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After walking to open the bottom of the third, Volpe was picked off first by right-hander Chase Burns.
Volpe was originally called safe on the play, but Cincinnati challenged the call and it was overturned.
Even before the ruling, Volpe argued with first base umpire Brian O’Nora that first baseman Sal Stewart blocked his path back to the base with his foot.
“I had nowhere to go,” Volpe said of the play. “In spring training, at shortstop receiving throws [to second base], we try to be spot on with that rule. It’s not from us. The league tells us.”
Volpe’s argument fell on deaf ears.
“He told me he didn’t want to watch [the replay] on the screen,” Volpe said. “He said the throw took him there. It’s up to him.”
To make matters worse, Ben Rice followed with a home run to give the Yankees a one-run lead.
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe reacts after being picked off first base. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
“It’s a huge play in the game,” Volpe said. “It took a run off the board.”
The rule, Volpe added, also exists to help prevent injuries.
“You don’t want to mess up your shoulder sliding back into first,” the shortstop said.
Boone sympathized with Volpe but was not surprised by the outcome.
“By the letter of the law, he’s blocking the base,” Boone said. “Are you really gonna get that call very often? Probably not.”
The Yankees were still able to capitalize on Burns being slow to home plate to steal six bases — despite Burns having a good pickoff move. But their lack of hitting with runners in scoring position meant that none of those swipes led to a run.
The six stolen bases came from just three players, as Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez and Jazz Chisholm Jr. each swiped a pair.
Only José Caballero was thrown out — and that’s because he overslid second base in the second inning and shortstop Edwin Arroyo kept the tag on him.
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The Yankees have stolen 80 bases this year, their most through 76 games since 2002.
But it wasn’t enough Sunday.
“As an infielder, you’ve got to be locked in on that rule,” Volpe said.
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