Yankees Takeaways: Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s sixth-inning blast leads the Yanks to a win
The Yankees bullpen recorded 11 outs without allowing a run
DETROIT — The Yankees played their best defensive alignment Tuesday, and for that, the Yankees got a win with a big blast, big defense, and big bullpen outings. They took game two against the Tigers 4-3, winning a one-run game against a team that could be a playoff team if things break their way going forward.
The Lollipop Guild
The Yankees needed a jolt. Enter Jazz Chisholm Jr. After last night’s antics with the lollipop at second base and the subsequent managerial callout on the Talkin’ Yanks podcast this morning. One thing is certain: Chisholm Jr. has a flair for the dramatic, and he showed that in the top of the sixth inning. With the Yankees needing a big hit, Chisholm Jr. provided a one-out, two-run home run to drive in Paul Goldschmidt, who reached on an infield single. I guess the “bloop and a blast” saying still holds true.
“I feel like I’m really getting close to me again.” Chisholm Jr. said to YES Network after the game on his home run.
Over his last 30 games, Chisholm Jr. has heated up, posting a .853 OPS.
On the lollipop, “I’m playing a kids‘ game,” he said.
The Defense
The Yankees had been criticized in recent games for their outfield defensive alignment. Tonight, the regular defense was the reason they won. The good defense started in the fourth inning. The Yankees were down 2-0 with Riley Greene at second base, and Hao-Yu Lee hit a single to left. Tigers third base coach Joey Cora sent Greene home rather aggressively, and Cody Bellinger nailed him at the plate to end the inning and cut down a run.
Later on in the seventh inning with the Yankees holding onto a slim one-run lead, Brent Headrick allowed a one-out single to Ben Malgeri, his second in his MLB debut. After that, rookie Kevin McGonigle lined a ball to right field, with Jasson Domínguez making a shoestring catch. With Malgeri getting too far off first base, he was doubled off to end the inning.
The Bullpen
Carlos Rodón pitched well, but he gave up back-to-back doubles to lead off the sixth inning and allowed the Tigers to cut the Yankees’ lead down to one. After getting a big strikeout of Riley Greene, Aaron Boone elected to go to his bullpen, needing 11 outs to a win.
His bullpen delivered. Boone used three relievers, Fernando Cruz, Brent Headrick, and David Bednar, to get to the handshake line. It was not easy, however. Cruz did not have great command of his splitter today, which made his outing more and more difficult. He was able to work out of the inning and keep the Yankees’ lead.
Headrick has been used a lot this season, and that wear is beginning to show. Headrick did not surrender a run, but he was getting hit super hard during the outing. With that being said, Headrick did get a big five outs (helped out by Domínguez) and got the ball to Bednar.
Since blowing the save against the Mets over a month ago, Bednar has been nails. He’s allowed just one earned run on the day after he blew the save, struck out 15 batters in 13 innings pitched, and given up just five hits and five walks. Tonight, Bednar got the Yankees four big outs, all on just 17 pitches.
Tomorrow, Ryan Weathers will take on the Tigers, opposite the reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. It will be the battle of the southpaws. First pitch will be at 6:40pm on Amazon Prime Video