Jazz Chisholm Jr. opened up about his struggles recently, saying, “I’ve had a tough season.” His comments reflected the broader slump experienced by the Yankees lineup after Aaron Judge’s prolonged absence.
On Monday night at Yankee Stadium, Chisholm and his teammates reversed that trend. The Yankees erupted for eight runs by the third inning, capped by a pair of home runs from Chisholm, and held on for an 8‑5 series‑opening victory before a crowd of 42,348.
Chisholm was the focal point of the offensive outburst. After launching a go‑ahead home run the previous day, he continued his hot streak with a three‑run homer in the first inning and a two‑run shot around the foul pole in the third, turning a single inning into a four‑run surge.
Additional key plays came from José Caballero and former Yankee Dennis Santana. Caballero fielded a sharply hit ball and initiated a double play in the eighth inning, while Santana, now with the Pirates, was involved in a heated exchange that led to empty benches but only verbal confrontations.
The Yankees improved to 56‑44, having won six of their last eight games. They remain 1.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East. This win marked only their second strong offensive showing since June 18.
The Pirates (52‑49) took an early lead when Paul Goldschmidt’s fielding error allowed Ben Rice to advance to third and score on a poorly executed throw from left fielder Bryan Reynolds. Pittsburgh also benefited from an RBI double by Jared Triolo and a single by Nick Gonzales in the second inning.
Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez punctuated the Pirates’ rally with a two‑run home run to the right‑field seats, temporarily giving them the lead. However, Chisholm sealed the game with his second home run, a deep shot to right field that landed in the second deck.
Ryan Weathers took the loss, allowing five runs over four and two‑thirds innings. Despite the early deficits, the Yankees’ bullpen—Angel Chivilli, Brent Headrick, Tim Hill, and Fernando Cruz—held the Pirates scoreless for the final 4⅓ innings, securing the win.
