NEW YORK – The numbers are going to tell a story about Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s season, and there’s probably not enough time left to completely change it. But if October ends the way he’s picturing, none of that will matter.
Chisholm entered the season with big ideas, aspiring to hit 50 homers with 50 steals. That won’t happen, but Sunday’s 8-3 victory over the Blue Jays provided a showcase for what manager Aaron Boone calls “Jazz-ball.”
“It gets frustrating sometimes, but I have such great teammates in the clubhouse that I just keep my head on a swivel,” Chisholm said. “It just helps me to go on the field, forget about it and wipe it from my memory.
“I go and play defense the best that I can, go run the bases as best I can when I get on. It just reminds me of the talent I have and the things I’ve done before.”
Chisholm’s bunt single and long homer contributed to the Yankees’ sixth win in seven games, allowing the Bombers (74-56) to remain three games behind the division-leading Rays (77-53) in the American League East chase with 32 left to play.
With a potential contract year looming, Chisholm scratches his head when asked to explain his numbers – for example, a .694 OPS that represents a significant dropoff from last season, when he posted an .813 mark.
Asked what he’s playing for now, the 28-year-old didn’t hesitate.
“To win the World Series,” Chisholm said. “That’s the only goal I’ve got.”
Chisholm helped to set up a three-run outburst in the sixth inning, stepping in against José Soriano with two men on and nobody out. Intending to sacrifice the runners along, Chisholm dropped a perfect bunt up the third-base line for a single, loading the bases.
Chisholm added his 18th home run in the seventh, a two-run shot off Brendon Little that reached the second deck in right field. Over Chisholm’s past five games, he is 6-for-17 (.353) with a double, a triple, a homer, three RBIs and two stolen bases.
“That’s why you still feel like it’s in there for him to get hot at the most important time of the year,” Boone said. “He hasn’t had that stretch, that run of weeks where he’s a carrier. He can do so many things to take over a game on both sides of the ball, and today was a peek into that.”
Trent Grisham worked a full-count walk that forced home the go-ahead run in the sixth. Ben Rice followed with a two-run single off left-hander Mason Fluharty.
“Benny, who I felt took some weird swings today, saved his best one for the toughest situation,” Boone said.
Grisham reached Monument Park for his 18th homer in the eighth inning. Spencer Jones and Austin Wells earlier stroked run-scoring doubles as the Yanks finished 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
That type of production has been difficult to come by for the Yankees, who entered Sunday just 10-for-62 (.161) with runners in scoring position over their previous nine games.
“I thought we did a really good job,” said Cody Bellinger, who went 1-for-4 in his return to the lineup after missing a month with a left hamstring strain. “Those games are fun, for sure.”
Carlos Rodón started for New York, permitting two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks over four innings in his second start since being activated from the injured list.
Continuing to build stamina after being plugged into the rotation to replace the injured Max Fried, Rodón tossed 76 pitches (42 for strikes) and figures he will add about another 10 his next time out.
“It was good enough,” Rodón said. “Obviously I’d like to get past four there and get into the fifth, just take on a couple more outs, but I need to be a little more efficient with the pitch count.”
Brett Bateman and Daz Cameron lifted sacrifice flies off Rodón, who pitched out of a fourth-inning jam after shortstop George Lombard Jr. fumbled a grounder, his third error in as many games.
“Just part of the game,” Rodón said. “He’s made some tremendous plays at short, especially lately. It’s my job to pick him up.”
The bullpen was once again excellent, with Paul Blackburn, Ryan Yarbrough and Brent Headrick combining for five innings of one-run, three-hit relief. Yankees relievers have posted a Major League-best 2.44 ERA over their past 70 games (since June 3).
“There were a lot of contributions today to grab another series and head into the off-day the right way,” Boone said.