The New York Yankees came from behind with a strong ninth inning to defeat the Washington Nationals 5-3 on Friday night. Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a two-run home run to complete the comeback and help New York earn an important road victory.
The Yankees scored three runs in the final inning after trailing 3-2. Austin Wells added a solo home run later in the inning to give New York extra breathing room.
Chisholm delivered the biggest hit of the game. After Jasson Domínguez reached base with a single, Chisholm drove a pitch over the fence for his 13th home run of the season.
Washington had turned to left-handed reliever Matt Krook in the ninth inning. Domínguez opened the rally with a one-out single before Chisholm changed the game with one swing.
Wells followed by hitting another home run off reliever Justin Lawrence. His solo shot extended the Yankees’ lead to 5-3.
The victory went to David Bednar, who pitched the final two innings in relief. Bednar improved his record to 3-3 after keeping the Nationals scoreless the rest of the way.
The win helped New York remain within four games of first-place Tampa Bay in the American League East standings.
The Yankees struck first in the opening inning. Ben Rice hit his 29th home run of the season to give New York an early 1-0 lead.
Rice later fouled a pitch off his right leg during the fifth inning. He was shaken up but stayed in the game.
Jasson Domínguez added another home run in the fourth inning. His blast gave the Yankees a 2-1 advantage after Washington had tied the game earlier.
The Nationals answered in the seventh inning with back-to-back home runs. Keibert Ruiz and James Wood connected on consecutive pitches to give Washington a 3-2 lead.
The game featured plenty of power from both teams. Nearly every run scored came from a home run as two of Major League Baseball’s top home-run hitting clubs faced each other.
The contest also included an unusual moment in the sixth inning.
Washington looked ready to score after CJ Abrams doubled and Jacob Young followed with a single. Abrams attempted to round third base and head home but slipped on the wet field. He was forced to stop at third base instead of scoring.
The game had already been delayed by two hours because of weather before the first pitch.
After Abrams was stranded at third, Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz entered the game and struck out the next two batters to end the threat.
Veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt also reached an important milestone for New York. His first-inning single ended an 0-for-34 hitless streak. He later added another infield single during the sixth inning.
Amed Rosario had a difficult night for the Yankees. He struck out in all three of his plate appearances and committed two errors at third base before being replaced by a pinch hitter.
The Yankees will continue the series on Saturday. Rookie Cam Schlittler is expected to start for New York, while the Nationals are scheduled to send Miles Mikolas to the mound.
Friday’s comeback gave the Yankees another valuable win as they continue to chase the top spot in the American League East. Chisholm’s late home run proved to be the turning point in a game that stayed close until the final inning.
