About Last Night: The Yankees Doubled Up on the Astros 8-4

About Last Night: The Yankees Doubled Up on the Astros 8-4

By Tim Kabel

September 5, 2025

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The Yankees finished the first step of their crucial 12-game stretch against playoff teams successfully last night. They beat the Astros handily and won the three-game series. They cannot afford to savor last night's victory, or the series win because they will be opening a three-game series at home against the Blue Jays tonight. This might be the toughest stretch of the season for the Yankees and because of their lengthy Boonre-Swoon, they cannot afford any off games or losing streaks.

Quick Stats – 

·       This was the Yankees’ first series win against a team with a winning record since they swept Seattle from July 8th to the 10th.

·       Trent Grisham has three home runs, including two grand slams, in the last week.

·       Carlos Rodon won his 16th game, tying him for most in the Majors with the Brewers’ Freddy Peralta.  

·       Grisham became the 7th Yankees’ centerfielder to have a 30-home run season, joining Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Bobby Murcer, Bernie Williams, Curtis Granderson, and Aaron Judge.

·       Jazz Chisholm, Jr. left the game in the 4th inning due to contusions on both knees, which occurred on separate plays.

·       Play was stopped briefly in the 9th inning when, at the request of Aaron Boone, the umpires examined Taylor Trammell’s bat after he doubled. The bat was eventually handed to an official seated near home plate and play resumed. Surprisingly, George Brett did not charge the umpires.

·       On September 4^th, 1923, “Sad” Sam Jones pitched a no-hitter for the Yankees against the Philadelphia Athletics, winning the Game 2-0. I would have thought such a thing would have made him happy, but what do I know?

·       On September 4^th, 1993, Jim Abbott pitched a no-hitter for the Yankees against the then Cleveland Indians. This was even more remarkable considering that Abbott only had has one arm.

Big Story – 

The Yankees are 9-2 in their last 11 games. While it is true that most of those games were against awful teams, the Astros are not an awful team. The fact that the Yankees won this series against the Astros to start that crucial 12 game stretch is very impressive. Right now, the Yankees are playing very well. They need to continue that against the Blue Jays, Tigers, and Red Sox. After that, the Yankees will have 13 games left against the Twins, White Sox, and Orioles but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

The Yankees are now three games behind the Blue Jays and in sole possession of second place in the American League East. They will be playing the Blue Jays for three games beginning tonight. The Red Sox, who are 1/2 game behind the Yankees, will be playing the Arizona Diamondbacks in Arizona. The Yankees cannot let up at this point, especially in their next nine games. The Yankees put themselves in a position where they have to scratch and claw for the best position in the Wild Card race. The only thing they can do now is win games one at a time.

Player of the Game – 

Ryan McMahon had three hits, including a home run, and drove in three runs. 

Notable Performances – 

Trent Grisham had two hits, including a three-run home run, which was his 30th for the season.

Fernando Cruz pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, striking out three.

Better To Forget-

Another dreadful call by umpire Brian Walsh, who ruled that Ryan McMahon dropped a ball that was clearly caught in the 6th inning. That led to the Astros scoring a run.

My Take – 

I am worried and a little nervous. The Yankees have won nine of their last eleven games and just won a series against the Astros. Not only that, but it was also their first series win against a team with a winning record since they beat the Mariners in the beginning of July. Things are looking up for the Yankees.

That's what has me worried. When the Yankees beat the Mariners in July, it seemed like things were going to be fine. They weren't. The Yankees have a propensity for creating a sense of confidence in their fans, only to take a nosedive a few days later. They are inconsistent and streaky. They have been for a while now and have long stretches of mediocrity. It's as if the Yankees under Aaron Boone like to pull the rug out from under their fans.

We all know this. We see what happens. Yet, it is almost impossible to resist the temptation to be hopeful and optimistic that this could be the Yankees’ year. Maybe that lengthy Boone-Swoon didn't matter. Maybe the Yankees will sail into the playoffs on a high note and go all the way to a World Series victory. It is possible but it is also possible that our hopes will be dashed on the rocks like a ship in a storm.

I do not think that Aaron Boone is a good manager. I honestly believe the Yankees will never win a World Series with him as the manager.  However, against my better judgment, I am beginning to think that the Yankees will finish out the season strong and have a tremendous postseason. Past experience and common sense tell me that they will come up short. I expect I will simply enjoy the ride, be hopeful, and ultimately, kick myself later. I am a Yankees fan in the Boone Era; it's what I do.

Next Up-

The Yankees will open a three-game series against the Blue Jays tonight at 7:05 PM at Yankee Stadium. The Blue Jays will use Kevin Gausman, (8-10, 3.75 ERA). The Yankees will send Cam Schlittler, (2-2, 2.61 ERA) to the mound.