In every stage of his journey to the majors, George Lombard Jr. initially struggled offensively before figuring out opposing pitching at the level.
It took him one at-bat in his Yankees debut to make the adjustment.
After a third-inning groundout, Lombard stepped up in the fifth inning for his second career at-bat and smoked a solo home run into the left field seats for his first hit, homer, RBI, run scored and electrifying moment in The Bronx.
Facing St. Louis’ Hunter Dobbins, Lombard dug an 0-2 hole with a couple foul balls, then watched a sweeper get too much of the plate.
He blasted it for a 2-0 lead and allowed a small smile as he rounded the bases while his parents hugged in the stands.
Officially called up earlier Tuesday as Anthony Volpe was sent down, the 21-year-old Lombard already had begun to prove himself with his glove, jump-starting a pair of slick double plays in the first five innings.
