NEW YORK — If you happen to think torpedo bats are a shortcut to home run heaven, take a look at the Yankees’ box scores the last two nights. They’ve struck out 27 times, not to mention back to back losses to the Diamondbacks. So let’s be real about this next-generation lumber.

Volpe spoke shortly after his fourth homer of the season, a three-run shot off Arizona’s A.J. Puk, gave the Yankees some life in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s contest. However, the late blast proved insufficient in a 4-3 loss after D-backs starter Zac Gallen struck out 13 Yankees over 6.2 scoreless innings.

The early part of the MLB season has seen a continuing trend of clubs locking up their up-and-coming All-Stars before their arbitration and free agent eligibility.