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HOUSTON — Oswald Peraza got his first playoff start on Thursday night. The shortstop made a pinch running appearance Wednesday, but he was the starting shortstop for Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Astros.
“Yeah it was my toughest call,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of using the rookie instead of Isiah Kiner-Falefa Thursday night. “I ended Framber [Valdez] being so groundball heavy. Izzy faced him a lot, put it on the ground a lot against him. I just felt like Peraza’s got a little more chance of getting it in the air against him. So I thought Izzy looked good yesterday, so this is just a matchup thing.”
In 49 at-bats over 18 games, Peraza slashed .306/.404/.429 with an .832 OPS after being called up in September. He hit three doubles and a home run. He drew six walks and struck out nine times.
That and the way Peraza handled himself was enough to impress Boone.
“I was curious how he was going to be. I liked what I saw the whole time. He was just prepared and was good when he had his opportunities,” Boone said. “Whether that was not playing a handful of days, many get in there a couple of days in a row. Because work was really good. Nothing seemed to really overwhelm them. He impressed me and I was really excited to have him for that final month. I just thought it was good for him. To be in the environment, be around it. But not only did he play pretty well, but he yeah, I just liked everything about it. So, I feel good about putting them in there with infielders.”
Kiner-Falefa, who started Game 1, will be available on the bench as Peraza takes his spot Thursday night.
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