Chisholm ignites Yankees: Home run and triple, Judge reaches 30 HR

Jazz Chisholm Jr. electrifies the Yankees with a stellar performance

At Yankee Stadium, the Jazz era is in full swing. Jazz Chisholm Jr., with his bat, glove, arm, and smile, is injecting energy into the New York Yankees and their fans. Chisholm hit a home run to take the lead in the second inning and a bases-loaded triple, as well as making three brilliant defensive plays at third base on Sunday, in a resounding 12-5 victory over the Athletics.

“That’s why we brought him here. That’s what the Yankees do. They go after players who are going to make an impact,” commented New York captain Aaron Judge, who hit two home runs to reach 30 for the sixth time.

Aaron Judge

Since returning from a right oblique strain on June 3, Chisholm is batting .318 with six home runs, 18 RBIs, and four stolen bases, raising his season totals to .242 with 13 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 10 steals in 53 games. “I feel like myself. I feel like I’m back in my era, which was younger, just going out and hitting, not worrying about things,” said the 27-year-old player. “Just not worrying about my swing, not worrying about taking too long strides. Everything feels good and I’m just going.” After a four-RBI night against Boston in his fourth game back, Chisholm made the unusual claim that he was thriving by giving 70% effort and not stressing. With New York looking to reopen a 1½-game lead in the American League East two days after the second half, he connected on a sinker on the first pitch from former Yankee Luis Severino into the right-field stands for a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Always exuberant, he raised his right hand and made the peace sign toward the Yankees’ bullpen after rounding first base. Chisholm caught Jacob Wilson’s ground ball with two runners on base and one out in the third, it bounced off third base for the force out and threw to first base for a double play that ended the inning. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning, Chisholm connected on a changeup to the gap between right and center field that rolled past center fielder Denzel Clarke. He reached third base standing up and held up three fingers.

“It’s like a blackout situation,” he said. “I didn’t even realize I stole three bases in the third base.”

Jazz Chisholm Jr.

With the bases loaded in the sixth, he made a diving stop near the dirt behind third base on Luis Urías’ 102.1 mph batted ball, which he scooped up and followed with a one-hop throw to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. He then caught Tyler Soderstrom’s foul fly in the eighth inning while falling against the netting in the narrow space next to the rolled-up tarp.

“I think Jazz’s defense was even better than his day at the plate,” said pitcher Marcus Stroman, who won in his return from a 2½-month injury absence. “It was incredible out there: a lot of huge plays that helped me in important moments, plays that aren’t normal plays.”

Marcus Stroman

New York acquired Chisholm from Miami on July 27th for three minor league players. Since then, he has batted .257 with 24 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 28 stolen bases in 99 games. “His game is so electric, and he can change the game and affect the game in so many different ways in a dynamic way,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “So, when he plays at a high level, I think he energizes everyone.” Chisholm briefly caused concern in the sixth. He grimaced after stopping his swing on a 1-2 fastball from Elvis Alvarado, which went high and outside. Chisholm went to the dugout and immediately went up the tunnel towards the clubhouse. Then he reappeared at third base for the start of the seventh. “The bat slipped from my hand and hit my finger,” he said. “It just hit the bone and when you get hit on the bone, it’s kind of funny, it feels weird. So, at first it was a little scary, but we’re okay.”