DETROIT – Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. launched a go-ahead two-run homer Tuesday night in the sixth inning of a 4-3 win over the Tigers at Comerica Park. But it took an RBI double by catcher Austin Wells later in the sixth inning to seal the winning total for New York and break a three-game losing streak.
Chisholm, a left-handed hitter with power that belies his lanky 5-foot-11 frame, watched his 12th homer of the season sail high, deep and into the stands well over the heads of Detroit’s outfielders. Then he danced, pranced and slapped fives all the way from first base to the dugout.
And once inside the dugout, he grabbed a container of lollipops to shake and hold in front of the TV camera. It appeared to be a reference to his Lollipopapalooza incident. Chisholm was caught on camera Monday night sucking on a green lollipop while in the field at second base, and he received a talking-to from Yankees manager Aaron Boone ahead of Tuesday’s game.
“The ‘Lollipop Kid’ came through tonight in a big way,” said a smiling Boone. “He can have all the lollipops he wants now. So, we’re good.”
When informed of that, Chisholm chuckled out loud and said, “Ahhh, that’s funny.” Raising his eyebrows and smiling, Chisholm added, “He didn’t say that yesterday. No, we talked about it a little bit, but it wasn’t nothing crazy. It’s just safety habits.”
Asked if he’d seen Chisholm put the lollipops in front of the camera, Boone said, “I did not. But, you know what, if that becomes a little bit of a thing, as long as he doesn’t take it out to second base with him, we’re good.”
Chisholm said he could not resist the temptation of doing so.
“No,” he said, “I couldn’t resist it. My teammates were egging me on and screaming, ‘Get him a lollipop!’ We had fun.”
Chisholm, undeniably, has a flair for drama and makes games entertaining.
“Yeah, I mean he was very entertaining today with the homer,” said Yankees starter Carlos Rodón, who improved to 4-2. “He had a great swing and played really well. I love him. I’ll take every part.”
Chisholm’s 403-foot homer traveled 107.4 mph and had a steep 37-degree angle. It was good viewing for sure. He got a low, inside slider and drove it like a golf tee shot.
“I was looking for the pitch all night,” said Chisholm. “I think I got it the first strike from him [in the first inning] and I was looking for it all day after that. I missed it earlier in the game. So, I was on it.”
Boone said, “Actually, before the home run, some people right around the on-deck circle were just, ‘Sucker this … lollipop that.’ And I know he got a lot of satisfaction out of hitting that home run. I think everything fuels him, yes.”
Naturally, Chisholm agreed with that.
“I like when they get on me a little bit,” he said. “‘Where’s my lollipop?’ They were screaming that during that at-bat. ‘Are you going to hit a lollipop or what?’”
Chisholm also scored the first of four runs off Detroit starter Casey Mize by singling in the fourth and going to third on a single by rookie Spencer Jones despite slipping while rounding second. Third baseman José Caballero scored Chisholm by grounding out to third base.
Rodón earned the win after going 5 1/3 innings and allowing three runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
Relievers Fernando Cruz, Brent Headrick and closer David Bednar blanked the Tigers in a combined 3 2/3 innings.
Chisholm’s improvement has continued since a down first 30 games. He was batting .202 with three homers and 10 RBIs through April, but now is hitting .230 with 12 homers and 33 RBIs. Still, it’s not quite on pace to duplicate the .242 with 31 homers and 80 RBIs he had in winning the Silver Slugger Award in 2025.
Though, his stolen bases are up to 23 and ahead of the pace of his 31 steals last season.
Prior to the game, Boone said of Chisholm: “I mean, he got off to a really slow start. And I think he’s definitely stabilized here in the last month-plus. But I expect a lot from him – I expect more. He should be one of the game’s better players, and I still feel like he’s got that pop, that hot streak, in him enough to where he really plays super well. And he’s capable of that. And that’s why I have expectations for him.
“Jazz has really started to play well the last two months. But there’s a lot more in there, too.”
Chisholm nodded his head when some of his manager’s comments were repeated.
“I expect more from myself always,” he said. “This year, I don’t think I’m playing my best either.”