Jazz Chisholm Jr. reached a personal milestone on Sunday, hitting his 100th career home run during the New York Yankees’ 7-2 win over the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. The achievement came just one day after Chisholm learned of the death of a close friend.
“It felt kind of surreal. I lost my best friend yesterday,” Chisholm said. “Today felt like a different type of day, especially with the 100th home run coming today. I’ve been going through a lot in the last 30 hours.”
Chisholm hit two home runs in the game—a two-run shot in the second inning and another in the eighth—while television cameras showed him emotional in the dugout after his first homer as teammates offered support.
Trent Grisham also contributed two solo home runs, helping New York avoid a sweep by Boston after losing the first three games of their series.
“It was definitely not the weekend we wanted to have, especially coming off a really good road trip, but it was a good win nonetheless,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
Chisholm declined to share details about his friend’s passing but said he was focused on playing and helping his team as they ended an eight-game losing streak against Boston this season and moved within half a game of an American League Wild Card spot.
“We definitely needed this one tonight,” Chisholm said. “A little momentum going into the next series. We’re trying to make it to the playoffs, but we’re definitely just trying to take it day by day and win by win.”
Carlos Rodón started for New York and earned his team-leading 14th victory, holding Boston to one hit through five innings before running into trouble in the sixth with three walks. Reliever Luke Weaver allowed a pinch-hit two-run single to Nathaniel Lowe, but New York’s bullpen then delivered more than three scoreless innings.
“Tonight we knew we had to win,” Rodón said. “The boys swung the bats well. Defensively we had some double plays turned. The infield was great. It was a good win.”
Rodón improved his record when not allowing a home run, moving to 10-2 with a 1.48 ERA under those circumstances.
“It was a good outing for him, especially with the context of coming off a few losses,” Boone said. “To go out there and settle things down was big.”
After Weaver recorded four outs, Devin Williams pitched a clean eighth inning with two strikeouts. Williams has not given up an earned run since August 10 and has struck out 15 of 22 batters faced during that stretch.
“It’s really good seeing him just continuing to pitch really well,” Boone said. “A lot of things have gone on this year. That’s a credit to him and the quality of pitcher he is, but just the fortitude to keep going. Certainly, that’s what he’s capable of.”
José Caballero started at shortstop instead of Anthony Volpe and drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning; five of New York’s seven runs were scored off Red Sox starter Dustin May.
Volpe entered as a defensive replacement late in the game and is expected back in Tuesday’s lineup after sitting out Monday’s opener against Washington, according to comments he made Sunday night. Boone praised Caballero as an important addition who can play multiple positions effectively since joining from Tampa Bay at July’s trade deadline.
“That’s the kind of 10th man you want,” Boone said. “He can go legit play defense at four, five different spots and be good at it, and give you a little something in the batter’s box, too. And then, obviously, what he’s able to do on the bases, just a heady player. He complements our team really well.”
