NEW YORK – It wasn’t a good weekend for the Yankees. They played the Red Sox in a four-game series at Yankee Stadium, but lost the first three of them by a combined score of 19-4.
But three MLB Bros, Trent Grisham, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Devin Williams, helped New York pound Boston, 7-2, on Sunday night and salvage the four-game series at Yankee Stadium. With the victory, the Bronx Bombers are 5 ½ games behind the Blue Jays in the American League East race and one-half game behind the Red Sox for the top Wild Card spot in the A.L.
“We definitely needed this win tonight and get a little momentum going into the next series [against the Nationals starting Monday],” Chisholm said. “We are trying to make it to the playoffs, but we are taking it day by day and win by win.”
Grisham and Chisholm hit two homers, while Williams pitched an inning and struck out two, including Roman Anthony and Trevor Story.
Chisholm gave New York a 2-0 lead in the second inning by hitting his 100th career homer off right-hander Dustin May, a two-run shot into the right field seats. Those same fans would get another souvenir from Chisholm six innings later after he belted his second homer of the night.
“[Getting homer No. 100] sounds better with the win. It makes it feel even better. We won the game, especially against a team that has beaten us a lot this year. That should take us into a good momentum this year.”
Grisham was in a 1-for-13 skid during the first three games, but he broke out of it by hitting solo homers in the third and fifth inning, respectively, against May and reaching base twice on walks.
“Grish controlled the zone. … That just kind of embodies the good at-bats he has been having all season,” manager Aaron Bone said.
What a difference a year makes. Grisham has hit a career-high 25 homers in 113 games this season after hitting nine long balls in 76 games last year. His batting average is up 57 points from last year [.240 to .190].
“He always had power. He is a former No. 1 draft pick, a talented guy,” Boone said. “Everyone’s trajectory is [going up]. It’s a hard game. Hitting in the big leagues is hard. Obviously, this is the best offensive season by a lot. It’s a testament to talent, having experience and having a plan.”
In his last seven outings, Williams hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last seven outings and struck out 15 in 6 ⅓ innings.
“It’s strike throwing and going through the meat of the order, which he ended up doing against [the Rays],” Boone said. “… It’s really good to see him just continuing to pitch really well. A lot of things have gone on this year. It’s a credit to him. It’s the quality of the pitcher that he is.”
