For one night, at least, general manager Brian Cashman looked like a genius with his decision to land Luis García Jr. ahead of the trade deadline.
And for one night, at least, Aaron Boone’s first comments on the first baseman and designated hitter — “he rakes” — were prophetic.
García, making his debut Monday, launched a two-run home run over the left-field fence to briefly give the Yankees a 7-6 lead in the seventh inning against the Cardinals after initially falling behind 6-0. The Yankees’ bullpen, however, struggled in the eighth as the Bombers quickly fell behind again.
New York Yankees’ Luis Garcia Jr. hits a two-run home run during the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
The Yankees acquired him from the Nationals on Sunday in exchange for pitchers Yovanny Cruz, Jake Bird, Ben Grable and Jack Cebert, attempting to add a jolt to a lineup currently missing Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton.
Luis Garcia Jr. of the New York Yankees celebrates in the dugout with teammates after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Yankee Stadium on Monday, August 3, 2026, in New York City. Getty Images
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García entered with a .560 slugging percentage, which led the National League, and had hit 23 homers in his first 104 games of the season for the Nationals.
His 24th of the year ensured he made a strong first impression with the Yankees.
