Yankees 2, Cubs 1

By Mike Whiteman August 3, 2026 On this day in 1914, catcher Les Nunamaker did something neither Yankee HOF catchers Bill Dickey and Yogi Berra ever did - he threw out three baserunners in one inning. Nunamaker picked off a runner at second base, then threw out two trying to steal second base. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET191408030.shtml

On this day in 1933, the Yankees were shut out by Lefty Grove. This in itself isn't that significant, as the Hall-of-Fame lefty spun 35 shutouts over his career. It was notable in that it was the first time in 309 games - over two seasons - that the Yanks of Ruth, Gehrig, Lazzeri, and Combs were held scoreless. The current Yankee hitters could use some of this inspiration now! https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA193308030.shtml

Quick Stats: The Yankees are 63-49, good for second place in the American League East, two and a half games behind the first place Tampa Bay Rays. They have won three more games this year than they had at the same point last season. That's what a good start does for a team. The Yanks' last seven series' have been against (at the time) winning teams. They have won four, lost two, and tied one. Big Story: It was more of the recent same early in yesterday's game. Gerrit Cole was holding the Cubs scoreless while the first five Yanks struck out against starter Colin Rea, who came into the game with a 4.62 ERA on the season. The Yanks did break through first though in the third inning when Jose Caballero ripped a two run home run. Per the YES broadcast this was team's first inning with two or more runs in 42 innings! The Cubs put a run on the board in the fourth and threatened when they loaded the bases in the sixth, but rubber-armed Brent Headrick came on for Cole and got out of the inning. After Headrick struck out the side in the seventh, Aaron Boone turned to Paul Blackburn in the eighth. Blackburn got two outs but also put put runners on first and third. Boone then went to the pen again, and closer David Bednar got Ian Happ to fly out to end the threat. He spun scoreless ninth, and the Yanks had their game and series win. Yankees win, 2-1. Player of the Game: Bednar and Headrick both got out of jams created by other pitchers unscathed. Can't ask for more than that. Bednar particular seems to have a bulldog mentality. Notable Performances: Austin Wells wore catching equipment honoring Yankee great Thurman Munson, who died in an airplane crash August 2, 1979. A real nice and thoughtful gesture by the current Yankee receiver. Better to Forget: The Yanks only had five hits on the day. They Said It: "Obviously he was an incredible player, team captain, hard not to root for that guy." - Austin Wells on Thurman Munson. My Take: Interleague play has been part of the baseball landscape for almost 20 years now, long enough to give the impression that it has been around forever. Prior to it's start in 1997, the only time in which we would see a Yankees-Cubs matchup (that counted) would be in the World Series, which happened in 1932 and 1938, a little bit before my time. I was not excited about this change as I appreciated the independent and distinct leagues of my youth, but I'm slowly warming up to series' like the ones we've seen of late, where the Yanks have take on "original 16" NL teams like the Dodgers, Cubs, Pirates, Cardinals and Phillies. More evidence that things keep changing: Going into play yesterday, the American League top three batting averages - Yordan Alvarez .324, Yandy Diaz .304, Josh Jung .294. Where have you gone, Rod Carew? It's been good to see the Yankees "righting the ship" in July, with a 14-11 record. The underlying numbers, a .219 batting average and 3.03 ERA over the month scream lost opportunity though. Even a league average offense would almost certainly have added a few more wins and put the team higher in the standings. The optimistic take is that there's real opportunity for postseason success with this type of pitching. The team took what I hope is the first of multiple steps to rejuvenate their lineup when they acquired Luis Garcia Jr. from Washington for minor league pitchers Ben Grable and Jack Cebert, reliever Yovanny Cruz, and the much maligned Jake Bird. The 26-year old Garcia is a left-handed batter who leads the National League in slugging percentage. He has been playing first place primarily this season, a position the Yanks have pretty well covered with Ben Rice. Garcia has been the Nationals' second baseman the previous three years, but hasn't impressed in the field. One has to wonder if the Yanks are considering utilizing Rice behind the plate occasionally with their depth at first and DH. Or pondering a trade of Jazz Chisholm. Or moving Chisholm to the outfield, or, or, or... OK, I'll stop getting ahead of myself. I always say the baseball season is a marathon, and I try to not get too high or too low whatever the circumstances. Things looked awfully bleak a month ago, but now the sun seems to be peeking out again. It's a good trade for the Yanks, and hopefully more to come! Next Up: No rest for the weary, as the Yanks take on St. Louis today at 7:05. The team is at home, which is usually a good thing but the Yanks are only 26-23 at The Stadium this year. Cam Schlittler (10-6, 2.04) takes the mound against Michael McGreevy (4-9, 3.57). Perhaps Garcia can make a good impression on his new team and fans by smacking a couple in to the right field bleachers!