'Dream come true': Kiner-Falefa caps Yanks' encouraging win

NEW YORK -- Isiah Kiner-Falefa said he “felt like a little kid running around out there” after lacing a sharp 10th-inning single on Saturday afternoon, celebrating his first walk-off hit in pinstripes. That joyous spark was precisely what the Yankees needed.

Continuing to shine in his new super-sub role, Kiner-Falefa’s deciding hit clinched the Bombers’ fifth walk-off win of the season, snapping a frustrating three-game skid with a 3-2 victory over the Padres at Yankee Stadium.

“It feels good to put something in play and get rewarded,” Kiner-Falefa said. “I feel like I’ve been hitting the ball hard at guys, so it was nice to sneak one by. It was loud. It was a dream come true, and it was fun.”

Kiner-Falefa’s knock came off right-hander Nick Martinez, shooting past a diving attempt from third baseman Rougned Odor and driving in automatic runner Greg Allen -- pinch-running for Anthony Rizzo -- from third base. Kiner-Falefa had two walk-off hits as a member of the Rangers in 2019.

“He’s playing great for us right now,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s been driving the ball well. I love him there in that spot; there’s a good chance he’s going to put it in play there. He’s worked his tail off in the outfield to become a really good outfielder, wherever you put him.”

“What a gamer,” said infielder DJ LeMahieu, who went 2-for-3 with a double and homer in the win. “He’s played multiple positions now; hasn’t complained once. He wants to be out there. That was a great hit today. It was one of those at-bats where you knew he was going to get a hit.”

The rally came after Luis Severino provided an encouraging effort in his second start since returning to the rotation from a right lat strain, showcasing a four-seam fastball that crackled between 95.9 and 100 mph. He permitted one hit over 6 2/3 efficient innings.

“I think I had a good plan of attack,” Severino said. “First-pitch strikes were really important today. We were ahead in the count almost every time. I feel pretty good; I feel pretty healthy. It’s a matter of getting more pitches in.”

Severino held San Diego to a solo Fernando Tatis Jr. homer through the first six frames, then lobbied Boone for one more batter during a mound visit in the seventh. Severino induced the ground ball he desired from Trent Grisham, but second baseman Gleyber Torres mishandled it for an error.

Ha-Seong Kim then greeted reliever Michael King with a sharp run-scoring single to left field, briefly putting the Padres ahead. Despite Kim’s hit, Severino’s 82-pitch effort provided a tantalizing taste of what a healthy version of the 29-year-old could add to the rotation.

“He’s a frontline starter to go with our other guys, and then hopefully, we’re getting other guys in the mix as the season unfolds,” Boone said. “You can see a place where we have a chance to have a really complete and talented group that’s tough to score against.”

Severino agreed: “I think it will help. Obviously, we’ve got Gerrit Cole, who’s a monster. [Nestor] Cortes has had a few tough outings, but he’s been really good. Clarke [Schmidt] is really good. [Domingo] Germán is coming back. If everybody is healthy, we’re in a good spot.”

LeMahieu, who said after a quiet offensive performance in Friday’s series opener that he felt “close” to returning to form, responded in the home half of the frame with a line-drive homer to the right-field seats.

The blast, off San Diego starter Michael Wacha, was LeMahieu’s sixth homer of the year.

LeMahieu also played a significant role in putting New York on the board in the first inning. Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo stroked one-out singles off Wacha, followed by a hard-hit double down the line by LeMahieu that scored Judge. Rizzo was tagged out at the plate as the trail runner.

“I had better swings today,” LeMahieu said. “I’ve faced Wacha plenty in my career, so I know what to expect. He pitched well overall, but I was able to put some swings on some balls. It’s encouraging, for sure. It’s one game, but [I’ll] keep it going.”