Even without the presence of slugger Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees rattled off four consecutive wins, including a sweep of the Cleveland Guardians on the road.
After losing twice to Cleveland and once to the Red Sox last week, the Bronx Bombers responded in the eighth inning of Sunday’s game against Boston.
With the ballgame tied and two outs, Cody Bellinger blasted a heroic solo shot to rejuvenate his team. Trent Grisham fed off this to score the next run, before Anthony Volpe drew a walk. With two runners on, Jazz Chrisholm Jr. lifted a three-run shot to segment New York’s five-run effort, completing the 6-1 victory.
The energy remained in New York’s direction going into their next series. Paul Goldschmidt slammed a two-run homer to left field in the first. In the third, a throwing error scored Grisham, who singled to reach base.
However, the Guardians responded with three runs in the third to tie the game. That was only for Ryan McMahon to lead off the fifth with a solo shot. Yet, Cleveland responded with two runs of their own in the sixth.
The Yankees rallied from this, with Goldschmidt tying the game on a grounder in the eighth. And as the game went into extras, Bellinger scored the go-ahead runs on a clutch two-RBI single.
In the second game, rookie Spencer Jones blasted a two-run shot for his first career home run. Cleveland scored two of their own in the third, but Chrisholm broke the stalemate by hitting an eighth-inning go-ahead solo home run.
The series finale started with the Guardians hitting a lead-off home run. Still, Chrisholm remained hot, lining a two RBI triple in the bottom half of the frame. He also scored the Yankees’ third run on a throwing error.
The Guardians tied everything up with two runs in the fourth. The Bronx Bombers put a run across in the sixth, while Volpe batted in a run on a double. Goldschmidt singled to score his teammate before Jose Caballero, and Chrisholm scored two runs in the eighth to put the finishing touches on the series sweep.
During this stretch, Chrisholm led his team in place of Judge, accumulating seven RBI, two home runs, and three hits. Overall, the Yankees have held up strong without the reigning American League MVP.
Their next test of strength will come against the Toronto Blue Jays in a three-game road series. In their only other meeting thus far, New York surrendered two wins after taking the first two.
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