For quite a while—maybe weeks or even months—the Yankees’ batting lineup felt almost lifeless, lacking key players like Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton.
However, on Wednesday, the team appeared to awaken, showing signs of life with some late-game scoring bursts, as if each hit was its own little alarm clock.
Despite falling behind, the pitching staff’s solid performance was somewhat unexpected, but they had to fight through a rough offensive stretch. The Yankees managed to score the last seven runs in a 10-5 win, securing the series against the Mariners in front of a lively crowd of 41,714. At one point, three fans rushed the field in the fifth inning, only to be swiftly subdued—one case was particularly intense—by security.
Against the Mariners’ strong pitching, particularly Bryce Miller, the Yankees racked up 13 hits, which included six doubles and two home runs from Trent Grisham. Grisham was pivotal, contributing significantly with a 3-for-5 game that included four RBIs and a minor fielding error.
After starting at a 3-0 deficit, the Yankees saw some new faces enter the game, with Will Warren pitching four innings and allowing five runs, adding pressure to the offense.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had a performance like that against a team known for not conceding runs, so I’m really glad to see everyone chip in, especially after being down early,” commented manager Aaron Boone. His team has now scored five or more runs in a game for just the fifth time in the last 48 contests and recorded double-digit runs for the first time since July 9. “We kept pushing and managed to regain our momentum.”
The Yankees (68-52) have now won four out of five games, keeping a solid six-game lead over the Rays in the AL East, as the Red Sox, currently holding the top wild-card spot, have dropped five straight.
Initially, they faced a 3-0 deficit, but Ryan McMahon’s double in the second inning narrowed it to 3-1.
Then, after falling to a 4-1 hole, Spencer Jones hit a two-run double in the third inning that bounced off the left-field wall, edging the score to 4-3.
Moving to the fifth inning, trailing 5-3, the bullpen stepped up, with five pitchers combining to keep the Mariners scoreless while the offense took charge.
“They scored, but we responded,” Jones reflected after getting on base three times and scoring three runs, thanks to his double.
In the fifth, Grisham hit a home run on the first pitch with two outs, narrowing the gap to one run. Just moments later, Ben Rice doubled into the right-field corner. Following that, Jones brought him home with another double, tying the game.
With a chance to chase three runs in the seventh inning, nine Yankees came to bat, showcasing patience. Grisham hit an RBI double, Rice did the same, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. drew a walk that added another run, giving an extra boost to the score.
“The left-on-left matchups were impressive,” Boone noted, adding, “Eventually, it all came together.” The game reached a finishing blow in the eighth inning when Grisham hit his second home run of the night, marking his second multi-home run game of the year.
Grisham has been one of several players who struggled during this extended dry spell without the star hitter. Maybe this marks a turning point.
“I’m feeling good,” Grisham, often more reserved, shared about his recent form—he’s gone 8-for-17 with three home runs and four doubles over the past four games.
As for the entire team, they should feel optimistic after a rare, decisive victory. The last six games they’ve played and seven of their last wins have been close, decided by three runs or fewer.
“I didn’t believe tonight would be a bad night,” Rice admitted.
