NEW YORK – Entering Friday’s action against the Red Sox, Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. made an error in six consecutive games which dated back to Aug. 21, against the Blue Jays.
That dubious streak came to an end during Friday’s 1-0 victory over the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Lombard played a clean game. Making two putouts and two assists. His most difficult play came in the eighth inning when Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin hit a groundball up the middle. Lombard scooped the ball to his left and made a perfect throw on the run to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt for the second out of the inning.
Making an error in six consecutive games tied a franchise record, last done in 1921 by second baseman Chick Fewster. The last player to do it as a Yankees shortstop was Roger Peckinpaugh in July 1915.
Goldschmidt was surprised to learn that Lombard had problems with the glove in recent days. Goldschmidt called Lombard a great addition to the club.
“I didn’t realize he was having a tough week,” Goldschmidt said. “He has done so many good things, had so many good at-bats. We know there are going to be ups and downs. I guess there were some plays he could have made, but the feeling in the clubhouse is, we are happy to have him. … A really valuable part of this team.”
Manager Aaron Boone never lost faith in Lombard. So don’t expect to see the kid on the bench anytime soon.
“Six games in a row (in which he made an error). I get it,” Boone said about Lombard. “I really trust the kid, the person and the talent. He’ll get through this. There have been in-between plays where he has attacked (the ball) a little bit differently, but I do feel like his work and his fundamentals will serve him well and put it through.”
