On a team known for its giants, a diminutive Yankee saves the day

It's crazy to think of a "must win" game in May. 

Flat-out nuts. No such thing. 

Between now and the pumpkin patch, we'll see streaks and slumps, fantastical wins and indescribable losses - and so much turnover that we might barely recognize the Yankee lineup of October 1. 

So let's be clear: Last night was neither a season-saver nor a turning point. The Yankees beat Baltimore, a team with the 8th worst record in MLB, a certified tomato can, albeit one that looks to be ascending. By winning, they avoided: 

a) a four-game losing streak, worst of 2022

b) their second straight lost home series 

c) no longer possessing the best record in MLB. 

Still, last night, the Yankees enjoyed one of those unexpected moments that - when you look back - all great teams have during a fateful season. It came from Jose Trevino, a 29-year-old, stumpy, who looks like a miniature Jose Molina, with a dash of Luis Sojo - who - (keeping our train of obscure Yankee images going) - enjoyed his Jason Giambi arrival in NY moment. In two critical, late-inning at bats, Trevino singled in the tying run and then drove in the walk-off game-winner - flinging his hands into the air as he danced between first and second base. What a moment! Take his picture! Put it in his personal file! Someday, he will play in an Old-Timers Day, as that video appears on the Jumbotron. 

And make no mistake: Trevino did NOT save our season or rescue the Yankees from anything more than a no-good, very-bad, stinko, crapola week. 

But if Trevino failed - the way Gary Sanchez so often did, the way Kyle Higashioka has been doing - the Yankiverse today would be having - as they say on the list of side-effects during the TV drug ads - "irregular heartbeats, depression and suicidal thoughts." (But not an erection that lasts longer than four hours.) Even with the victory, our setbacks are mounting, as the Death Barge heads into the toughest part of the schedule.

Last night, a shoe dropped. Giancarlo Stanton tweaked a muscle. We know what comes next. Boonie will assure us it's a minor thingy, and that he'll soon be back. Then June will become July. Meanwhile, the spotlight glare of NYC will grow even hotter upon Aaron Judge, whose injury history is remarkably similar to Stanton's, and who has carried this team into first place, for now, in the AL East.

This came as DJ LeMahieu sat out with a bad wrist and Aroldis Chapman disappeared with a barking ankle. Neither had played well lately. Still, the Yankees will need them between now and the apocalypse. Jose Trevino won't have that many incredible nights. 

Still, we shall not bemoan the fates - not on Jose Trevino Day. 

For starters, let's NOT compare him to Gary - (hitting .216 with 4 HRs for Minnesota)- or Higgy - (.154 with 0 HRs, and out with Covid.) Or the two pitchers we traded to Texas for him. They are 26-year-old Albert Abreu - whom we came to call "Double A" - who currently has a 3.52 ERA with Texas - and a 22-year-old lottery ticket named Robbie Ahlstrom, currently in the low minors. 

Trevino, 29, last night raised his average to .246 with 2 HRs - fifth highest BA among Yankee regulars. For a team known for its giants, Trevino - at 5'11" - is tied with Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortez, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa for the honor of being the shortest Yankee. 

Here's to short Yankees. 

And JP Sears - 5'11" - today's starting pitcher, it's your turn.