Gleyber Torres’ game-ending gaffe blows Anthony Volpe’s big Yankees moment

DETROIT — The Yankees are in the midst of a youth movement that has suddenly made 22-year-old Anthony Volpe look like something of a chiseled vet.

The rookie shortstop’s recent play has helped, too, as he continued to add to his late-season surge Thursday afternoon, though the high from his latest big moment was short-lived.

Volpe hit a game-tying, three-run home run in the ninth inning to join the 20/20 club before the Yankees went on to fall to the Tigers, 4-3 in 10 innings, at Comerica Park.

An inning earlier, Volpe had become the first rookie in franchise history to hit at least 20 home runs and steal at least 20 bases in a season.

Facing Tigers closer Alex Lange with a 3-0 deficit, two outs and runners on the corners, Volpe smacked an 0-1 pitch the other way for a three-run shot.

The Yankees (65-69) lost on a walk-off fielder’s choice in which Gleyber Torres’ wild throw to first base wiped out a shot at a double play that would have sent the game to the 11th.

4

4

Reliever Jonathan Loaisiga fielded the chopper off the bat of Zack Short and threw to Torres for the first out, but the second baseman’s throwing error allowed the Tigers (60-74) to avoid a four-game sweep.

“Disappointing we couldn’t finish it off,” said manager Aaron Boone, who unsuccessfully challenged the play in case Torres’ throw had been altered by a takeout slide. “The throw [from Loaisiga] was a little to [Torres’] thigh side, lower, but obviously just messed up the exchange and didn’t get a good throw off.”

Volpe now has 20 homers and 21 steals with 28 games remaining.

“I guess it’s pretty crazy,” Volpe said. “I never really had goals or anything like that going into the season, numbers-wise. But when you can put yourself in Yankees history, I mean, that’s pretty crazy. Pretty cool.”

Volpe has experienced his fair share of growing pains this season and still finished Thursday batting .219 with a .707 OPS.

But he has provided more consistent at-bats in the second half of the season, and the Yankees believe he will benefit long term from being able to play through the ups and downs of his rookie year.

4

4

“It’s been fun watching him play the game,” Boone said. “He’s gotten a lot of big hits for us, today included. He’s been really special in the field for us. With all that’s come with him and the expectations, he’s just managed everything so well. Excited to see what he continues to do throughout his career.”

By Friday, Volpe will be the most experienced rookie in a lineup that could also include 20-year-old Jasson Dominguez, 24-year-old Austin Wells, 23-year-old Oswald Peraza and 22-year-old Everson Pereira.

“I guess it does feel weird from that standpoint sharing my experiences and trying to help different guys,” Volpe said, “just because that’s kind of the position I’ve been in the entire year.”