Wade looks to contribute; Buffalo fans

As far as Major League clubs are concerned, the Yankees are as high-profile as it comes. But one player without much name recognition has quietly played a valuable role for the Yanks this season.

Tyler Wade made just his 12th start of the year in Thursday's series finale against the Blue Jays in Buffalo, N.Y., slotting into the No. 9 spot in the batting order and taking the field at second base. Out of 44 games played, that's where the 26-year-old has spent the most time (16 appearances). He has also logged time at shortstop (10) and third base (5), as well as center (5), right (4) and left field (3).

Thursday's matchup at Sahlen Field was Wade's first start since a May 30 contest against the Tigers in Detroit, though Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before the game that he has been actively trying to put Wade in the lineup more often.

"[I've] been wanting to get him in there." Boone said. "A few times over the last week or two, I considered getting him in there. It just felt like today was a good day to get him a start and hopefully get him a few [at-bats]. Hopefully he can contribute -- obviously with his speed and defense, but also be a little bit of a spark for us at the bottom of the order, too."

In just 43 plate appearances entering Thursday, Wade has posted a .250 batting average with 10 runs scored. But he provides the most benefit with his defensive ability, particularly in the outfield -- one of the Yankees' biggest areas of need given their injury history -- and on the basepaths, given that their roster doesn't run particularly well.

Wade proved that in the series opener on Tuesday, when he pinch-ran for Miguel Andújar and stole second base, then scored the game-winning run on a Clint Frazier double in the eighth inning of a 6-5 victory.

"Every time you go out, especially in a Major League setting, it's an opportunity to continue to establish yourself," Boone said. "I think Wader has played a really important role for us, and has been a real weapon for us off the bench. And obviously the defensive versatility that he's provided in adding the outfield over the last couple years, where he's become really good.

"If you're a talented guy, and Wader certainly is, [when] you get these opportunities -- the more production you create, the more future opportunities you create for yourself. But regardless, he's playing an important role for us whether he's in the starting lineup or not."

Ford dealt to division rival
On Thursday, the Yankees announced that they had traded first baseman Mike Ford to the Rays for cash considerations and a player to be named later. The 28-year-old, who hit .133 with three homers in 22 games for the team this season, was designated for assignment on Saturday.

When asked about the chance that Ford could have a resurgence for Tampa Bay, Boone did not rule out the possibility.

"Well, sure. He's a talented guy that I think can be a good hitter in this league," Boone said. "This is obviously a different opportunity for him; now he turns into someone we might have to face and try to get out. He's certainly talented and we've seen him go through some really good stretches with us, especially in 2019. He's still talented; it's just been a little bit of a struggle these last couple of years."

Feeling at home in Buffalo
The last time the Yankees played a road series against the Blue Jays in mid-April, they were at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Fla., Toronto's Spring Training home. This time around, they have been at Sahlen Field, where the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, are based.

Beyond winning the first two games of this week's series, the Yankees didn't mind being in a Major League ballpark. That's because the majority of the fans in attendance have been their own supporters.

"It has definitely been unique … you can feel their presence and feel the excitement," Boone said. "I'm sure a lot of upstate, Buffalo, western New York Yankee fans are all out. It's been nice from our standpoint to hear them behind us and know how excited they are to see us come in. That's been pretty cool to witness."

Added DJ LeMahieu: "It's pretty much everywhere we go. Not necessarily a home game, but Yankees fans travel well and support us. It's part of being a Yankee that's pretty special. Not too many teams have that type of energy from fans on the road."

This date in Yankees history
June 17, 1978: Ron Guidry strikes out 18 California Angels in a four-hit, 4-0 shutout, setting a single-game club record that still stands. His 18 strikeouts also set a single-game American League record for left-handed pitchers, since broken by Randy Johnson (19 K's).