Dodgers Edge Out Yankees in Tight Matchup

In their latest game, the Dodgers showcased their skills when it counted, while the Yankees fell short yet again.

The series opener on Friday, the first in the Bronx since the 2024 World Series—a painful memory for Aaron Boone’s squad—was marked by the Dodgers’ stellar defensive efforts contrasting with the Yankees’ weak base running.

The game ended 2-1 in favor of the Dodgers, thanks to a pivotal double by Ben Rice in the eighth inning. With one out, Trent Grisham hesitated at first base, failing to sprint immediately as he waited to see where the ball would land.

Grisham’s transition from second to third seemed a bit off, although he insisted he was not taken by surprise when third base coach Luis Rojas sent him home. “It didn’t feel like an aggressive call,” he said, attributing his cautiousness partly to a hamstring injury that sidelined him for three weeks earlier in July.

Despite feeling “conscious” of his hamstring, Grisham claimed he picked up Rojas’ signal but ultimately couldn’t beat the strong defensive play from the Dodgers.

On the field, Andy Pages, a top outfielder, made a powerful—but imprecise—throw, forcing Mookie Betts to dash across from shallow center field to backtrack as shortstop. Betts managed to catch the throw while running and quickly relayed it home.

Dalton Rush, the catcher, dashed up the first base line, making a swift backhanded throw that unexpectedly struck Grisham’s cleat just as he aimed to slide in.

“It was bang-bang,” Grisham noted, admitting that the Dodgers just excelled slightly more than the Yankees this time.

If Grisham had held back, the Yankees could have had two runners in scoring position, with their No. 3 hitter, Paul Goldschmidt, facing left-handed pitcher Alex Bashear. However, the Dodgers might have chosen to intentionally walk Goldschmidt, setting up Cody Bellinger with bases loaded.

“I think Lewis sensed the play was developing over the second baseman’s head, and Mookie had to react quickly,” Boone commented on the decision. “I’m okay with taking those risks.”