Power Surge from Chisholm and Grisham
Sunday night turned into a fireworks show for the Yankees when Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Trent Grisham each launched two home runs. Chisholm’s first blast came in the second inning, a two‑run shot that also marked his 100th career homer—a milestone that often signals a player’s transition into the elite club. He followed that up with another two‑run homer in the eighth, this time off veteran left‑hander Walker Buehler, cementing his eighth career multi‑homer game and his third of the 2025 season.
Grisham answered the Red Sox’s early pitching dominance with a pair of consecutive solo shots. The first came off Red Sox starter Dustin May, who had struggled throughout his tenure in Boston. Grisham’s second homer came just a batter later, turning a tied game into a 4‑2 lead for New York. Their combined four long balls accounted for six of the seven runs, completely reversing the offensive narrative that had favored Boston in the first three contests.
- Chisham Jr.: 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 100th career homer
- Grisham: 2 HR, 2 RBIs, back‑to‑back at‑bats
- Red Sox pitchers combined: 5 walks, 9 hits
The duo’s performance not only broke the Red Sox’s 19‑4 run advantage in the series but also provided a psychological lift. After dropping eight straight games to their arch‑rival, the Yankees finally found the power swing they needed to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Rodón's Pitching Mastery and Playoff Implications
While the offense stole the headlines, Carlos Rodón’s outing was equally pivotal. He surrendered just one hit—a single to Alex Bregman in the first inning—over 5 2⁄3 innings. Rodón walked five batters, matching his season high, but turned each free pass into a double play, demonstrating poise under pressure.
The sixth inning proved to be his breaking point; three additional walks on 37 pitches forced the manager’s hand, and the bullpen took over. Still, the early dominance set the tone, keeping Boston’s offense at bay and allowing the Yankees to build a cushion that the bullpen preserved.
From a standings perspective, the win was a game‑changer. It moved New York within a half‑game of the Red Sox for the top AL wild‑card spot, while the club still trails the Toronto Blue Jays by 5.5 games in the AL East. The season series, once a lopsided 0‑8, now reads 2‑8, offering a sliver of redemption after a string of defeats.
Beyond the numbers, the victory avoided what would have been the first four‑game home sweep of the Red Sox in the Bronx since 1939. It also signaled a momentum shift heading into the final stretch of the season, where every win can swing the wild‑card race. With Chisholm’s milestone, Grisham’s clutch power, and Rodón’s veteran steadiness, the Yankees have a renewed belief that they can still contend for postseason glory.