Yankees survive late scare for much-needed win thanks to Trent Grisham's clutch homer

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The 2000 World Series club that the Yankees celebrated Saturday lost 15 of its final 18 regular-season games. It limped into the postseason, ditched its crutches and sprinted to a title.
In the ballpark was living proof that slides that threaten to end seasons don't always end seasons.
'We're certainly hoping for that kind of a run,' manager Aaron Boone said. 'It's been a tough couple months for us.'
On an Old-Timers' Day that featured a brief alumni game and plenty of star power in The Bronx, the Yankees experienced what has become rare: a nice afternoon during which potential heartbreak morphed into euphoria.
After the pregame festivities, the Yankees grabbed a lead, predictably blew it in sloppy fashion and then watched Trent Grisham blast the tiebreaking home run in a 5-4 victory over the Astros in front of the 2000 Yankees and 45,738 fans.
'We're close to getting really, really hot,' Grisham said after the Yankees (62-55) won for just a second time in eight games. 'So hopefully [this can] get something started.'
After mostly Camilo Doval, partly unfortunate defense and partly David Bednar fumbled a two-run edge in the top of the eighth, Grisham provided the needed swing in the bottom of the inning.
The outfielder demolished a no-doubter against fellow lefty Bryan King and did not watch the ball land.
Grisham remained in the batter's box, stared into his dugout and began his trot as the ball sailed into the second deck.
The moment was another testament to the talent and the personality that Grisham — the most laid-back member of the team who plays with far more ease than urgency — brings to the club.
'He is 'The Big Sleep,' ' Boone said with a smile in revealing a nickname that a few in the clubhouse are trying to ascribe to Grisham. 'He's that, but he's really confident, too, and really talented.'
Grisham's career-best 21st home run was another one that mattered. Sixteen of his dingers have either tied the game or given his team the lead.
It is possible that a person this relaxed simply does not feel as much pressure in big moments.
'I believe I'm ready for it,' Grisham said of his success in the clutch. 'I believe I'm built for it.'
'No situation is too big for him,' Giancarlo Stanton added.
Bednar, either. Again asked again to record five outs, the deadline addition shook off a shaky beginning to his eighth inning and threw a scoreless ninth to seal a game that had teetered just a few minutes earlier.
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In that eighth, the seemingly daily Yankees collapse began.
With Cam Smith on first, Doval fielded a one-out comebacker from Jesús Sánchez that should have ended the frame.
But Doval's errant throw to second pulled Anthony Volpe off the base, recording zero outs instead of two.
With the door swung open, the Astros took advantage.
Jose Altuve reached out his bat and sent a single into left that Jasson Domínguez chased down and came up throwing.
The strong throw probably did not have a chance to nab Smith, but Ryan McMahon did not cut the ball off — and the ball then bounced past catcher Ben Rice, which ensured the run scored and allowed Sánchez to advance to third and Altuve to second.
Boone believed the play was more misfortune than folly, saying the ball skipped behind Smith, which shielded Rice from a view of the ball.
After Doval walked Carlos Correa to load the bases in a one-run game, Boone went to Bednar for a second attempted five-out save in four days.
Bednar got ahead of Christian Walker 0-2 before throwing four straight balls to tie the game. The new closer bore down from there, though, striking out Yainer Diaz and Taylor Trammell to escape.
A Yankees lineup that housed both DH Aaron Judge and right fielder Stanton hit Framber Valdez hard, managing four runs on eight hits and four walks in 5 ¹/₃ innings from the star lefty.
Luis Gil (two runs in 5 ¹/₃ innings) served up a leadoff home run to Jeremy Peña on his fourth pitch of the game but settled in from there.
Gil gave his offense a chance that 'The Big Sleep' eventually exploited.