About Last Night: Holding The Fort. Yankees 6- Red Sox 1.
- Tim Kabel
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
Date: June 8th, 2026
By: Tim Kabel
---
The Yankees beat the Red Sox yesterday, getting contributions from all parts of the team. That is exactly what they will need to do if they are going to stay competitive during Aaron Judge's absence.
Cam Schlittler who was pitching on normal rest, and Ranger Suarez engaged in a pitcher’s duel. The game was tied at one headed into the bottom of the eighth inning. The Yankees erupted for five runs in that inning. Cody Bellinger powered a home run into the right center field seats off Justin Slaten. Trent Grisham, who had three hits, drove in a run with a single. Jazz Chisholm, Jr. had the coup de grace with a three-run home run against Joe La Sorsa. To appropriately borrow from the Broadway play Funny Girl, Jazz Chisholm is turning into a regular Second-Hand Rose. He has borrowed Giancarlo Stanton’s pants and used Aaron judge's bat to hit the home run yesterday. He has also used Jose Caballero's bats this season. One would think Jazz would have his own equipment but if it works, that's fine.
Cam Schlittler had another strong outing, He pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing only one run and lowered his ERA to 1.87. His velocity was back up to where it had been before his previous start. Hopefully, that eases some of the panic amongst the fans. Schlittler struck out five, walked one, and allowed four hits. Fernando Cruz, Brent Headrick, Tim Hill, and David Bednar combined for the final 3.1 innings, allowing a combined two hits and no runs.
Just about everyone in the lineup had a hit. Only Ben Rice, who is still batting.299 for the season and Anthony Volpe were hitless. A couple of weeks ago, I was compared to the denizens of Rock Ridge in the movie Blazing Saddles for suggesting that Anthony Volpe was a less than stellar offensive player. In this scenario, Volpe was likened to Sheriff Bart, which is a bit of a stretch. Anyway, I feel more like Mongo. “Mongo only pawn... in game of life.” I will risk incurring the wrath of a mob of pitchfork and torch wielding citizens by stating that since his three-hit game against the vaunted Kansas City pitching staff, Volpe has 3 hits in his last 25 at bats. That's a .120 batting average for those of you keeping score at home. None of those hits were for extra bases and Volpe is batting .211 for the season.
Ali Sanchez had his first start at catcher for the Yankees and did a fine job defensively. His lack of offense fits right in with the rest of the Yankees catchers. On Saturday, Austin Wells went on the IL suffering from cervical headaches. He will undergo further testing and will be out for an unknown length of time. The only comforting part of this is that there may be an explanation for his woeful offense.
In order for the Yankees to remain in contention this season, they are going to need consistent contributions from everyone in all facets of the game while Judge is on the IL. They will face a significant step up in competition when they go to Cleveland for the next three games.
A Few Tidbits:
Anthony Siegler who was drafted 23rd overall by the New York Yankees in 2018 as a catcher and a pitcher who was a switch-hitter, and a switch-pitcher, made his Yankee Stadium debut as the second baseman for the Red Sox. That's baseball, Suzyn.
The Yankees are now within percentage points of Tampa Bay for first place in the American League East. Tampa Bay has been in first place since May 10th.
This was Cam Schlittler's ninth start in which he allowed no more than one run.
After Friday’s game, the Yankees optioned JC Escarra to the minor leagues. He was recalled on Saturday when Austin Wells went on the IL. Escarra probably didn't even get a chance to have a plate of scrapple while he was in Pennsylvania.
Yesterday would have been Thurman Munson’s 79th birthday. If he were still alive, I would bet that he would be a better offensive option than any of the current crop of Yankees catchers.
Tonight, the Yankees will open a three-game series against the Guardians at 6:40 PM at Progressive Field. Will Warren, (7-1, 3.22 ERA) will face Gavin Williams, (9-3, 3.20 ERA). I will go with William over Williams.
