To prove a point while getting ejected in a profane rant at rookie plate umpire Brennan Miller on Thursday afternoon, Yankees manager Aaron Boone described his hitters as "savages at the plate."

The implication is that his hitters tend to batter opposing pitchers, and among those doing it extremely well is infielder DJ LeMahieu, whom the Yankees signed away from the Colorado Rockies to a two-year contract this winter.

LeMahieu is hitting so well that he leads the American League with a .329 average heading into the opener of New York's three-game series with Colorado on Friday night at Yankee Stadium.