The Bronx, NY — The Yankees and Pirates squared off in a game where there was 15 combined runs in the first three innings. The Yankees took it 8-5, improving to 56-44 on the season.
It became a battle of the bullpens, with both throwing up zeros, but the most important zeros were from the Yankees’ relief corps, which continues to impress.
HITTING HIGHLIGHT: Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit two home runs in this game, both off all-star Brandon Ashcraft. Ashcraft gave up eight runs today and has struggled in his past few outings. Chisholm Jr. made the Pirates first pay in the first inning after a calamity of errors gave the Yankees new life in the inning, and Chisholm Jr. crushed a three-run blast to give the Yankees the early lead.
After that, Chisholm Jr. took another pitch down the line. The only question was fair or foul, and it was fair to give the Yankees the lead right back, and the Yankees never looked back. Chisholm Jr. was the hero against the Dodgers, and he was once again today.
PITCHING HIGHLIGHT: Ryan Weathers did not have his best stuff at all. He yielded five runs in 4.2 innings of work. He’s been a bit of an issue for the Yankees with the number of runs he gives up on a regular basis. He was given a four-run first-inning lead, and he gave it all back in the second and third innings. He was fortunate to get the lead back in the game and left with it.
Weathers gave up only one home run, a two-run shot off the bat of Esmerlyn Valdez, who has impressed for the Pirates this season in his first 100 career at-bats.
NOTABLE: The Yankees bullpen continues to be impressive. They gave the team 5.1 innings of scorless ball. They allowed two hits, both against Tim Hill, and really shut the potent Pirates offense down.
UP NEXT: The Yankees and Pirates will play another night game (weather pending) in the Bronx. For the Yankees, it will be Will Warren getting the start, who has struggled at times this season. For the Pirates, it will be righty Bubba Chandler. First pitch will be at 7:05pm TV: YES RADIO: WFAN
