Yankees Dominate Cubs Behind Bellinger’s Big Night
Seven months after the Cubs traded Cody Bellinger to the Yankees, he had quite the evening on Friday night against his former team.
Bellinger launched two home runs, helping the Yankees steamroll the Cubs to an 11-0 victory as they approached the All-Star break. He was even close to a fourth homer, but it wasn’t meant to be. Still, the win was one of the most comprehensive for the Yankees this season, and for the fifth consecutive game, Bellinger received a curtain call after extending the lead to 10-0 in the eighth inning.
New All-Star Carlos Rodon put in a stellar performance, silencing one of the league’s top offenses over eight shutout innings. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge showcased his skills with three amazing catches.
However, the spotlight was definitely on Bellinger. He left behind two years and $47.5 million on his contract, which only cost the Yankees depth pitcher Cody Pott. Bellinger kicked off his big night with a two-run homer in the third inning and then added another in the fifth, wrapping it up impressively by the eighth.
There was a moment, almost magical, when Bellinger launched a fly ball into right field in the seventh, making Kyle Tucker chase it down after it nearly collided with the wall.
But let’s not forget Judge—he had an incredible defensive play. In the fourth inning, Pete Crow Armstrong sent a ball flying toward the right field wall, where Judge, standing tall at 6-foot-7, made a jaw-dropping catch. And it didn’t stop there; he saved another hit from Dansby Swanson right after.
Rodon, looking from the mound, appeared somewhat in disbelief at what he had witnessed. He maintained a clean line, thanks in part to Judge’s heroics, and seemed to shake off any doubts with confidence as the game progressed.
After retiring 16 batters straight, Rodon faced a challenge in the eighth, but Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone decided to keep him in, much to the delight of the sold-out crowd of 46,327.
Right at the end, Tucker hit a deep fly ball along the right field line, but Judge was there again, diving to end the threat and wrap up a fantastic night for the Yankees.
