Yankees Cody Bellinger delivers winning clutch hit in rare pinch-hitting role

BOSTON — In his 38th career plate appearance as a pinch hitter, Cody Bellinger tripled his RBI total.After starting Thursday’s game on the bench, Bellinger entered in the seventh-inning with the bases loaded and the Yankees trailing by a run and came through with a two-run single that sent them to a 4-2 win over the Red Sox, completing a sweep at Fenway Park.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.

Bellinger only had one career pinch-hit RBI before Thursday, but picked a clutch spot for his next two, coming against righty reliever Greg Weissert to help get Cam Schlittler the win in his first hometown start.“It’s a hard thing to do,” Bellinger said.“But we got a bunch of guys in here, a lot of success this year [pinch hitting] and I just want to continue doing that.

You really just prepare as much as you can and when your name’s called, I stick within myself and my plan and take my swing.”Aaron Boone, who said he told Bellinger, “Nice off-day,” said he was not surprised to see him deliver.“I mean, that’s Cody.He’s getting paid handsomely because he’s good at that,” Boone said of the outfielder who re-signed on a five-year, $162.5 million contract in January.

“Just a really good at-bat, smoking the ball the other way and putting us in a great spot.He’s a great player, simple as that.”Gerrit Cole made his second rehab start Thursday with High-A Hudson Valley, building up to 52 pitches across 4 ¹/₃ innings in which he gave up two runs and five hits while striking out four.

The ace is expected to use most, if not all, of his 30-day rehab clock as he finishes off his comeback from Tommy John surgery.“[My arm] is feeling good,” Cole said, according to video provided by the Hudson Valley Renegades.“It’s responding good to all the new stimulus, so we’ll keep plugging away.”Carlos Rodón will make his first rehab start Fr...