WASHINGTON D.C. — The Yankees won 5-3 over the Nationals to finish the first half of the 2026 season with a 54-42 record. Given the way the Nationals’ offense has swung the bats this season, this series was impressive from a pitching standpoint for the Yankees.
Will Warren‘s Start
For the second straight game, the Yankees allowed a leadoff home run to James Wood, who is just so impressive. He took Warren deep on a 94.6 MPH middle-middle fastball out to deep center to give his team a 1-0 advantage.
That was the only run that Warren gave up on the day. He was in trouble throughout the outing, with a lot of runners reaching base, but it seemed like every time he needed a double-play ball, he was able to generate one and escape trouble. Warren coming into the outing has struggled against lefty batters and faced nine of them today in the Nationals lineup and was able to execute well. That should be a good sign for his progress as the season progresses.
Ben Rice‘s Dominance
For the third day in a row, the Yankees came from behind in the eighth inning or later. Every game has been a new hero, and today it was Ben Rice. It started with a two-out single by Max Schuemann followed by a walk by Trent Grisham. Rice battled in the at-bat, working the at-bat to six pitches and tripling off the left-center field wall to give the Yankees a lead.
“No, I don’t think I got it quite right, but I saw it kept going.” Rice said of the triple. “So I think I don’t know. The wind must have just been helping it just enough to make it a tough wall-ball play there. But was happy that I didn’t get caught.”
Rice’s triple came a half inning after a peculiar play at second base by Jazz Chisholm Jr. after he made a nice play in the hole, he made a high throw to first off the glove of Rice, which allowed the go-ahead run to score. Rice was able to pick up his teammate with a huge hit to give the Yankees some more late-inning magic.
The Yankees now lead the AL with nine come-from-behind wins in the eighth inning or later this season, and that’s just the first half of the year.
“Yeah, I think just that’s the mentality we got to have,” Rice said of the late-inning heroics. “We go down in those later innings just knowing that we still got some at-bats left. So that’s the kind of mentality we need to carry into after the break.”
The Yankees will now take a breather. The All-Star game is upon us, with multiple members of the team heading to Philadelphia. While he’s not slated to start the game (it will be Blue Jays starter Dylan Cease instead), Cam Schlittler will be available if needed, he told the media after the game today, citing that he is still on the roster.
Rice will also participate in his first-ever home run derby, with his father pitching to him.
“No, I mean, like, I just think my dad and I are just kind of viewing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to, enjoy a couple rounds of BP in front of everybody and just have fun,” said Rice about participating in the Home Run Derby. “I watched his [Aaron Judge‘s] round. It was insane. But yeah, I’ve talked to some of the guys who did it. Obviously, Belly and Judge G. So, I mean, I think everyone’s advice is pretty consistent. Just enjoy it, you know.”
Coming out of the All-Star Break, the Yankees will face the defending World Champion Dodgers for three games at Yankee Stadium. First pitch Friday will be at 7:05pm on YES.
