Anthony Volpe breaks out of slump to provide needed Yankees spark

Anthony Volpe struck out to lead off the bottom of the second inning Saturday, extending his hitless streak to 25 at-bats. 

But when it looked like it might be another tough afternoon for the shortstop, he hit into some good luck, breaking the skid with a slow roller down the third base line an inning later for his first of three hits in the Yankees’ 9-0 win over Baltimore. 

He followed it with an opposite-field homer, just inside the right field foul pole to lead off the bottom of the fifth and then added a flare single into right-center in the sixth to help set up another run. 

Volpe’s first three-hit game in nearly a month was a welcome relief for the Yankees and came after Aaron Boone said the shortstop’s timing had been off, which led to poor swing decisions. 

“It always is a timing thing,” Volpe said, adding the most important part of his approach is to “be able to trust yourself.” 

Regardless of his approach, it’s hard not to tie the homer — one of four by the Yankees on the afternoon — to Volpe’s snapping his lengthy 0-fer two innings prior. 

“I’ve been trying to hit that ball for a couple games,’’ Volpe said of the 101-mph shot the other way, the hardest hit ball he’s had in a week. “Just see the ball and get a pitch I can handle.” 

That’s what the Yankees want from Volpe, who has shown an ability to hit the ball well to all fields at times throughout his career, but also can get into funks when he strikes out too much or rolls the ball over to the left side. 

That didn’t happen Saturday. 

“I think he was a little fortunate with a couple of those [hits], but the homer was outstanding — the entire at-bat,” Boone said. “ His first two at-bats, I thought he was a little late getting into [hitting] position, but you throw one out there and maybe that settles you.” 

And then he showed what continues to give the Yankees confidence that Volpe can meet the lofty expectations they set for him, as he ripped a four-seam fastball from right-hander Andrew Kittredge just over the wall in right. 

“He did a good job within that at-bat slowing down and making sure he got himself on time,’’ Boone said. “To have that club in your bag, to take a sinker like that the other way, was impressive. … I hope it’s one of those days that’s settling for him and we can go.” 

Volpe’s breakout came a day after Boone said he planned on giving him a day off Sunday versus Baltimore right-hander Dean Kremer after sitting DJ LeMahieu on Saturday. 

Asked following the three-hit performance whether he still expected to sit Volpe on Sunday, Boone said, “We’ll see.’’ But Volpe said the manager later told him he would indeed be out of the lineup with the Yankees in the middle of 16 games without an off day. 

It will be a rest day that will no doubt be easier for Volpe to take now that he’s back in the hit column.