Giancarlo Stanton’s appeal and drawback emerged just a few minutes apart in Saturday’s game in The Bronx.
In the third inning of a tie game against the Astros, the Yankees slugger smoked a double down the left field line off Justin Verlander.
But for years now, Stanton looks far more comfortable with a bat in his hands than running the bases.
DJ LeMahieu followed with a two-out single into center field.
Third-base coach Luis Rojas opted to test both the arm of outfielder Mauricio Dubon and the legs of Stanton.
Stanton’s legs failed the test.
The designated hitter rounded third and ran home carefully.
If he were not running 100 percent, the hamstring strain that he sustained running the bases in April might explain why.
The throw from Dubon beat Stanton, who eased his way into Martin Maldonado.
The catcher applied the tag to a stationary Stanton, who had slowed down rather than sliding home.
Stanton was out, the inning was over, and the score remained 1-1.