No-doubt slam continues Stanton's revival (2024)

Slugger homers for second straight game as Yankees improve to Majors-best 8-2

April 7th, 2024

No-doubt slam continues Stanton's revival (1)

Bryan Hoch

@BryanHoch

NEW YORK -- The echoing sound was unmistakable, the crack of Giancarlo Stanton’s bat demanding immediate attention from all within a two-block radius of 161st Street and River Avenue. Whether wandering the concourse, scrolling on a smartphone or chowing on a hot dog, you needed to see this one.

Though Stanton has spent the better part of a decade crushing baseballs like few others, the power is still jaw-dropping when his swing clicks right. That was the case in Sunday's third inning, as the slugger launched a long grand slam in the Yankees’ 8-3 victory over the Blue Jays.

“Sometimes,” Stanton said, “you know it off the bat.”

Yes, this was one of those. The 417-foot drive off Toronto’s Bowden Francis rocketed off Stanton’s bat at 110.6 mph, per Statcast. It was Stanton’s 11th career grand slam -- sixth as a Yankee -- and his second home run in as many games.

Stanton took a few steps while admiring the blast, which clipped the base of an advertisement far beyond the left-field wall, then flipped his bat. Stanton has something to celebrate, believing he has found his timing after beginning the season 3-for-24 (.125) with 13 strikeouts.

“I’ve been able to stay more in my legs,” Stanton said. “It’s good. Over and over again, game after game, just continue to have good at-bats. Put all four or five of them together, not just one or two, and good things will continue to happen.”

In Saturday’s win over the Jays, Stanton scraped the top of the right-field wall with a drive, prompting an umpire review to determine if there had been fan interference.

While waiting out that brief delay in the dugout, Aaron Judge sidled up to Stanton and encouraged his teammate to try hitting the ball a few rows deeper, thus saving everyone a few precious minutes. As Stanton joked on Sunday: “Oh yeah, no review on that.”

“If he goes, we all go,” said Anthony Volpe, who stroked three hits and stole a pair of bases to help the Yankees pull away late. “He’s right there in the middle, protecting all the big guys, too. With him being so good, it trickles all the way down. It’s huge.”

Stanton’s first slam since Sept. 20, 2022, highlighted a five-run frame for the Bombers, who tied the game when Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. They wouldn’t trail the rest of the way, tacking on against the Toronto bullpen.

“Guys had really good at-bats in front of [Stanton] to set that situation up,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He got a pitch that he didn’t miss. It turned out to be the blow of the day. G has been in the at-bats all year; just not getting the results yet, with some swing-and-miss in there. The last couple of days, it’s good to get some results.”

The Yankees are tied with the Pirates (8-2) for the Majors’ best record. They’ve won eight of their first 10 games for just the second time in the past 21 years, having also opened the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with an 8-2 record.

“We’ve been able to win games in different ways,” Boone said. “In a lot of ways, I don’t even feel like we’re totally clicking offensively yet. We’re doing what we need to do.”

One day after the bullpen nearly frittered away a seven-run lead, the trusty lineup card folded into Boone’s back pocket again received a workout, with starter Luis Gil striking out eight over 4 1/3 innings of two-run, two-hit ball.

Gil clashed with home plate umpire Angel Hernández during an erratic third inning that featured two walks and a hit-by-pitch, but he limited the damage to Alejandro Kirk’s bases-loaded walk, striking out Cavan Biggio to wriggle free.

“I thought he did a really good job after that tough inning, settling in and getting back in the strike zone,” Boone said. “It was a good learning moment.”

Jake Cousins recorded three outs to earn his first Yankees victory in relief, followed by Nick Burdi, Caleb Ferguson and Dennis Santana. Boone said he’d hoped to avoid using Santana, who instead provided five outs of spotless work to earn his first save.

“That’s huge. They’re coming up big,” Stanton said. “They’ve given us a chance to win every game, and that’s all you can ask for.”

No-doubt slam continues Stanton's revival (2024)

FAQs

Why did Gwen leave No Doubt? ›

A reason why the frontwoman put her performances with No Doubt on hold for nearly a decade was to focus on her family. When she finished her Sweet Escape tour, she found out she was pregnant with her second son, Zuma, now 15. "Things change when you have two babies,” Stefani told Nylon in a recent interview.

Will No Doubt ever reunite? ›

No Doubt is finally reuniting at Coachella this month, and thus far, fans were hoping for more from the Gwen Stefani-fronted band. However, the singer revealed in a new cover story with Nylon that, while she's “open to anything,” the group doesn't currently have any plans to create music after Coachella.

Is No Doubt touring in 2024? ›

Find information on all of No Doubt's upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2024-2025. Unfortunately there are no concert dates for No Doubt scheduled in 2024.

Is No Doubt going to play again? ›

The iconic band's frontwoman revealed in a new interview with Nylon that, while she's "open to anything," there are no plans for new No Doubt music following the ska-pop collective's upcoming reunion at the 2024 Coachella music festival — or even an accompanying tour.

Why did Gwen get divorced? ›

In 2015, the couple announced their divorce after rumors that Rossdale allegedly cheated on Stefani with their nanny.

How old was Gwen Stefani when she played in No Doubt? ›

“That's what got the fire going,” she says now. No Doubt began in 1986, when she was 17. Eric — two years Gwen's senior — played keyboards and wrote songs.

Did Gwen Stefani date anyone in No Doubt? ›

Personal life. Kanal dated bandmate Gwen Stefani from 1987 to 1994. They continued to have a creative relationship after they broke up which led to many of No Doubt's songs, most notably "Don't Speak".

Is Gwen Stefani's brother in No Doubt? ›

Keyboardist Eric Stefani, Gwen's brother, was also a former member when the band started to release albums in 1992. Since the mid-1990s, trombonist Gabrial McNair and trumpeter Stephen Bradley have performed with the band as session and touring musicians.

What did Eric Stefani do in No Doubt? ›

Stefani, his sister Gwen and John Spence formed the band No Doubt in 1986. The group added several members and performed live shows at venues such as Fenders Ballroom in Long Beach. The group started writing original material much of which Eric Stefani contributed.

How did No Doubt do at Coachella 2024? ›

Not only did their audience swell to the back of the Coachella grounds, but it clearly surpassed the number of people who turned out for headliners Lana Del Rey and Tyler, the Creator. Younger fans at the festival bore testimony.

How much has No Doubt paid for Coachella? ›

Tollett had been working for a while to make Coachella the band's first show together since 2015. A $10m payday to play both weekends was just.

Who sang "With No Doubt" at Coachella? ›

Fast-forward three years, and Rodrigo — wearing a cropped white tank top that read “I [heart] ND” — popped up on the Coachella Stage for a surprise duet on the Return of Saturn single, trading verses and sharing the chorus with Stefani.

Is No Doubt getting back together? ›

Anaheim ska-punk heroes No Doubt had been on ice from 2015 — but will reunite for a highly-anticipated set at Coachella 2024. Ahead of their festival appearance, here's what Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal and the rest have been up to. Life's about to get "Hella Good" again.

Is Gwen Stefani the singer in No Doubt? ›

Why did Gwen Stefani split from No Doubt? ›

By 2004, Stefani decided to break away from the band to pursue a solo career. This marked the end of No Doubt – for a time. The Grammy-nominated singer brought out her hugely successful solo album Love Angel Music Baby, which transformed her from girlband lead to solo icon.

Why did Gwen Stefani go solo? ›

Stefani's decision to use her solo career as an opportunity to delve further into pop music instead of trying "to convince the world of [her] talent, depth and artistic worth" was considered unusual. The album was described as "fun as hell but ... not exactly rife with subversive social commentary".

Was Gwen Stefani's ex-husband in No Doubt? ›

Why did Peter and Gwen break up? ›

However, circumstances involving the Chameleon made Gwen realize that Peter and MJ are still in love, and believes that they shouldn't be together, even if she wants to be with him. She breaks up with him, but vows to be his loyal friend.

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