UPDATE: In a heart-wrenching yet triumphant moment, Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a two-run home run in the second inning on Sunday night, leading the New York Yankees to a 7-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. This win marks the Yankees’ first lead against their rivals since Thursday’s series opener, halting an eight-game losing streak.
Chisholm’s emotional milestone, his 100th career home run, came just one day after the tragic loss of his best friend. “It felt kind of surreal,” Chisholm shared, holding back tears as he reflected on the personal significance of this game. “I lost my best friend yesterday, so today felt like a different type of day especially with the 100th home run coming today.”
The emotional weight of the moment was palpable as cameras captured Chisholm embracing teammate Aaron Judge, burying his head in Judge’s chest after the historic hit off Red Sox right-hander Dustin May. Chisholm added a second home run in the eighth inning, tying his career-high with 24 homers this season. Fellow teammate Trent Grisham also shone, hitting two home runs and setting a personal best with 25 homers this year.
Chisholm emphasized the intensity of games against Boston, stating, “I always want to play Boston. The energy in the game, the way our fans come out, the way their fans come out, it feels like a real intense game.” This matchup is critical as both teams vie for playoff positioning.
Looking ahead, the Yankees will face the Washington Nationals in a three-game series starting on September 11, 2023. They currently trail the Red Sox by half a game for the first Wild Card spot and sit six games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East. The Yankees have struggled against Boston this season, with a 2-8 record against them.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the challenges faced this weekend, stating, “Definitely not the weekend we wanted to have, especially coming off a really good road trip. But a good win nonetheless.”
As the Yankees prepare for their upcoming series, the emotional and competitive stakes remain high. Fans and players alike are eager to see how this pivotal moment for Chisholm will influence the team’s trajectory as they approach the playoff stretch.