Yankees look to build on their 6-homer barrage against the Phillies

 

The New York Yankees, fresh off a powerful 6-homer performance, aim for their fourth straight win as they face the Philadelphia Phillies again on Tuesday. In Monday’s series opener, the Yankees overwhelmed the Phillies with a 14-4 victory. Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. each belted two home runs and drove in three runs. Judge’s performance marked his third multi-homer game of the season and the 37th of his career. Ben Rice added a solo shot and a single, while Anthony Volpe hit a two-run homer and a single. Austin Wells contributed a two-run triple, and Juan Soto doubled twice, singled, and knocked in three runs. 

“We were able to jump on a couple of balls over the plate and give ourselves an early lead,” Judge said after the game. “We got back in the groove. Big night all around.”

On Tuesday, Gerrit Cole (3-2, 5.40 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees, looking to rebound from a rough outing. In his last appearance, Cole struggled, allowing eight hits and six runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Mets. “I’m frustrated — frustrated sitting in the emotions of this loss,” Cole admitted. “But our job is to flush it and not let the play of the last six weeks affect the way we prepare for the next game.” Cole, who has a 6-3 record and a 2.90 ERA in nine career starts against Philadelphia, acknowledges the need for consistency.

The Phillies, who hold the best record in the majors at 65-41, are on the brink of losing their fifth consecutive series. On Monday, Brandon Marsh homered, singled, and drove in two runs for Philadelphia. Bryson Stott added two hits, and Kyle Schwarber walked three times. Despite their efforts, the Phillies went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base. Manager Rob Thomson remains confident, saying, “I continue to support them and remind them who they are. We’re a really talented club going through a tough time. I truly believe we’ll come out of it.” Schwarber added, “It sucks. I feel bad about it. We’re grinding to put it all together.”

Phillies fans were drowned out by the enthusiastic Yankees supporters at Citizens Bank Park on Monday. Thomson noted, “I think when we play better, we’ll hear our fans.”

Aaron Nola (11-4, 3.44 ERA) is set to start for the Phillies on Tuesday. He leads the league with 15 quality starts, tied with teammate Zack Wheeler. In his last outing, Nola allowed six hits and three walks but only one run over six innings, although the bullpen squandered a 4-1 lead in a 5-4 loss to the Twins. Nola has a 1-2 record with a 2.88 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees. Newly acquired relief pitcher Carlos Estevez, who joined the Phillies from the Angels, was available but did not see action on Monday. “He’s going to get the bulk of the ninth innings,” Thomson said.