Eric Chavez has really played well filling the role left void by Alex Rodriguez’s injury. There was never a doubt as to the veterans ability to play, however he is aging and injury prone and there was a concern whether or not he would be able to last physically.
Before becoming a Yankee Chavez had played only 64 games in three seasons, but prior to that he had won six consecutive gold gloves at third base. Back, neck and shoulder injuries caused Chavez to undergo five surgeries which had him thinking retirement before realizing the interest the Yankees had in picking him up as a back up.
With the injury to A-Rod, and the Yankees in the midst of a slump, losing eight straight one run games, Chavez helped propel the team to their first one run win since the all star break. Trailing 3-2 going into the eighth inning Chavez and Teixeira hit back to back solo home runs for the tie, then the go-ahead run. Chavez’s solo shot was against the Tigers stud set up man Joaquin Benoit. Up until last night Chavez told Newsday he has been “terrible” against Benoit, 3 for 15 with four strikeouts.
That wasn’t the case last night though and its great to see Chavez pulling his weight physically and statistically.
He is batting .289 with a .347 on base percentage and slugging .526 with 12 home runs.
