Daily News 19

Tag: Yankee Stadium

  • Former MLB Player Speaks Candidly on Anthony Volpe’s Dramatic Yankees Return

    Former MLB Player Speaks Candidly on Anthony Volpe’s Dramatic Yankees Return

    Anthony Volpe returned to the New York Yankees on Thursday and immediately authored the kind of performance that can shift a season’s narrative. After more than a month in Triple-A, the former top prospect went 3-for-4, drove in five runs, and launched a grand slam during New York’s 10-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

    Volpe Delivers Immediate Impact in Return to Bronx

    The evening marked an ideal homecoming for a player who had endured one of the most challenging stretches of his young career. Volpe had already made his presence felt before stepping to the plate with the bases loaded in the seventh inning. He collected two hits earlier in the game, including an RBI single, before facing Jimmy Herget with two outs and the sacks full.

    Volpe jumped on a 91-mph sinker and deposited it 352 feet over the right-field wall. The ball left his bat at 104 mph, extending the Yankees’ lead to 10-2 and turning a comfortable victory into a rout. It marked Volpe’s second home run of the season and his third career grand slam.

    Yankee Stadium Erupts for Curtain Call

    The moment gained additional significance when Yankee Stadium erupted into chants of Volpe’s name. His teammates encouraged him toward the top step of the dugout, where he delivered a curtain call in front of more than 40,000 fans. Volpe later admitted he essentially “blacked out” during the moment, calling it something he’d remember for a long time.

    Todd Frazier: Demotion May Have Helped Volpe Mentally

    Former MLB infielder Todd Frazier offered a compelling assessment of Volpe’s return on Foul Territory. Frazier suggested the demotion may have benefited Volpe mentally, allowing him to relax and rediscover the confidence that made him such a highly regarded prospect.

    “I think it made him calm… He’s still a pretty good baseball player, people don’t really understand,” said Frazier.

    “Yeah, you’re in a market where it’s that what have you done lately for me attitude. We were all around it… If you’re not pulling weight, it’s gonna be a big problem.”

    Consistency Remains the Key Challenge

    The difficult task now is proving Thursday wasn’t simply one spectacular night. Volpe entered the demotion hitting just .240 with a .325 on-base percentage, a .322 slugging percentage, one home run, and 19 RBIs across 56 major league games. Those numbers continued a pattern of offensive inconsistency that has followed him since his 2023 debut.

    His time in Triple-A, however, provided legitimate reasons for optimism. Across 37 games, Volpe hit .264 with a .906 OPS, 11 home runs, 26 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. He also expanded his defensive versatility, starting games at shortstop, second base, and third base.

    His bat became especially dangerous late in his stint, when he went 11-for-21 with three homers, three doubles, and five stolen bases over a six-game stretch.

    Path to Playing Time Remains Competitive

    That production helped earn him another opportunity in New York, but his path forward won’t necessarily be straightforward. George Lombard Jr. had already received an opportunity at shortstop, while Jose Caballero had demonstrated his value with strong defense and aggressive base running.

    That makes consistency the ultimate key for Volpe. His talent clearly hasn’t disappeared, and Thursday offered a vivid reminder of why the Yankees believed in him initially. But in New York, potential only buys a player so much time.

  • How to Watch Red Sox vs. Yankees: TV Channel, Live Stream, and Game Time

    How to Watch Red Sox vs. Yankees: TV Channel, Live Stream, and Game Time

    The Boston Red Sox visit the New York Yankees on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in Game 2 of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET.

    New York enters Saturday with a 76-58 record (.567), while Boston is 73-61 (.545). The Yankees began the day with 184 home runs, the second-highest total in Major League Baseball behind Washington’s 190.

    How to Watch Red Sox vs. Yankees

    • When: Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 7:15 p.m. ET
    • Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
    • TV: FOX
    • Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One, FOX Sports

    Raymond Burgos is listed as Boston’s probable starter, while Max Fried is lined up to start for New York. However, Boston had not announced its Game 2 starter in the additional team information provided for the matchup.

    Players to Watch

    Ben Rice, Yankees

    Rice is New York’s biggest power threat in the FOX nightcap. He is batting .255 with 35 home runs and 83 RBI, giving Boston one hitter it cannot afford to challenge carelessly.

    His assignment does not change. If Rice gets a pitch to drive with runners aboard, he can quickly change a close rivalry game. That power makes him the priority in any high-leverage at-bat.

    Jazz Chisholm Jr., Yankees

    Chisholm gives the Yankees a source of pressure beyond the home run. He has 18 homers, 53 RBI and 38 stolen bases, forcing Boston to account for his speed as soon as he reaches base.

    That could matter even more in the second game of a doubleheader, when both bullpens may be carrying extra work. If Chisholm creates a scoring chance without needing another hit, New York gains an edge. Boston cannot lose track of him between pitches once he is aboard.

    William Contreras, Red Sox

    Contreras is Boston’s most complete middle-of-the-order threat. He is batting .278 with 26 home runs, 78 RBI and a .908 OPS, combining power with the plate discipline to extend an inning.

    New York cannot give him traffic and a favorable count. If Contreras reaches base or drives in runners, the Red Sox have the production they need to match the Yankees in the nightcap. His patience also gives Boston a way to make New York work.

    Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox

    Rafaela gives Boston contact, extra-base power and speed in the same spot. He is batting .287 with 16 home runs, 66 RBI and 17 stolen bases.

    His ability to put the ball in play can help Boston create pressure before Contreras and the rest of the middle order come up. With Fried lined up for New York and Boston yet to announce its Game 2 starter, Rafaela’s versatility gives the Red Sox several ways to build an inning throughout the game.

    Red Sox vs. Yankees Odds and Schedule

    Learn more about the Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees game and check the full MLB schedule on FOX Sports.

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    Source: www.foxsports.com

  • David Bednar Is Making Yankees Fans Forget How Shaky the Ninth Inning Used to Feel

    David Bednar Is Making Yankees Fans Forget How Shaky the Ninth Inning Used to Feel

    The Yankees had a one-run lead to protect Thursday night, and David Bednar made sure it was enough. He needed just 12 pitches to finish New York’s 1-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox and record his 31st save.

    There was a time when the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium felt like a long walk toward a disappointing ending. Bednar has changed that feeling. When he jogs in from the bullpen, the crowd expects him to take control and close out the game.

    David Bednar has stabilized the Yankees’ ninth inning

    Bednar’s numbers support that growing confidence. He owns a 2.31 ERA across 58.1 innings, with 65 strikeouts, 18 walks and a 0.98 WHIP. He has converted 31 of 34 save opportunities, providing the dependable late-inning work a contender needs.

    Thursday’s appearance was as efficient as it gets: three batters, no runs and game over. Those outings may not always produce the loudest reaction, but they allow the rest of the Yankees to play with greater confidence in close games.

    Aug. 28, 2026: Yankees catcher Austin Wells reacts with pitcher David Bednar after the win over the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Credit: Tom Horak-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect.

    Bednar is not trying to make the closer’s job look difficult. He attacks the strike zone, works quickly and gives catcher Austin Wells the opportunity to finish the inning with the best pitch available.

    That reliability matters, particularly during the late-season push. The Yankees already face significant pressure in every close game. They do not need their closer creating another problem when a lead is on the line.

    The Yankees have a closer they can trust

    The postseason will present more demanding situations than a one-run August game against Boston. Bednar will allow runs again because every closer does. What he has earned, however, is the benefit of the doubt when the game reaches the ninth inning.

    For now, the Yankees have a reliever who can turn a narrow lead into a handshake line. That is the job, and Bednar is doing it well.

    Source: sports.yahoo.com

  • Patrick Sandoval, Red Sox Lose Series Opener to Yankees

    Patrick Sandoval, Red Sox Lose Series Opener to Yankees

    Hosting a potential American League Wild Card Series remains a major priority for the Boston Red Sox, especially after they lost last October’s winner-take-all Game 3 against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

    “That’s important,” said Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy. “I won’t shy away from that. It’s a home-field advantage when you’re playing at home for most people. It wasn’t for us for a while, but it has been lately. So, yeah, I think if you get a short series, and you’re able to play in your home ballpark, that stuff matters for sure.”

    Boston took a setback in that pursuit Friday, losing a tense 1-0 game in the opener of a four-game series at Yankee Stadium.

    The defeat left the Red Sox three games behind the Yankees for the American League’s top Wild Card position. The winner of the season series would host the Wild Card Series if the rivals finish the regular season with identical records.

    The equation for the remainder of the weekend is simple: Boston must win two of the final three games to secure the season series.

    “That’s the plan, to win the series and go home,” said Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela.

    Rafaela was also at the center of the game’s pivotal play, getting thrown out at home on a laser throw from Cody Bellinger that prevented the tying run from scoring in the top of the seventh inning.

    “We haven’t scored much lately, so you gotta take your shot,” Tracy said. “You get the ball in the air, which is what you need, and you have a really good baserunner in Rafa and speed at third. You’re going to take your shot. With him running, it’s got to be a perfect throw. And he made a perfect throw right on the money.”

    Although the Red Sox worked Yankees ace Cam Schlittler hard—he lasted 5 2/3 innings, issued five walks and threw 96 pitches—they could not score against him or New York’s bullpen.

    Rafaela takes responsibility for two outs on the bases

    Rafaela was thrown out on the bases twice Friday: once after a baserunning mistake and once after Bellinger made the game’s defining defensive play.

    Boston appeared to be building a strong scoring chance in the fifth inning, with cleanup hitter Willson Contreras due up and two runners already on base. But Rafaela ended the rally before Contreras could come to the plate. On a relatively routine flyball to center by Wilyer Abreu, Rafaela strayed too far from first base and was doubled off to end the inning.

    “That’s a bad read on me. That’s really bad,” Rafaela said.

    Contreras did come to the plate in the seventh inning with runners on second and third and one out. He hit a 262-foot flyball to left field. With the slumping Adley Rutschman on deck, it appeared to be an opportunity for Boston to be aggressive.

    Rafaela tagged from third but was thrown out at home on Bellinger’s 99.7-mph throw, creating another inning-ending flyout-double play.

    Rafaela said it was his decision to tag up, while interim third base coach Chad Epperson told him to stay.

    “He tried [to hold me],” said Rafaela. “So that’s on me. That’s not him. Trying to be over aggressive, and those things happen.”

    However, Tracy—whose team has now been shut out in consecutive games for the first time this season—described the situation differently.

    “We were all screaming. That’s a definite [send], especially at that point in the game,” Tracy said.

    Red Sox pinch-hitting rally comes up short

    In perhaps his most aggressive sequence since becoming interim manager on April 25, Tracy used three consecutive pinch-hitters in the sixth inning after Caleb Durbin drew a two-out walk that ended Schlittler’s night.

    With left-hander Brent Headrick entering for New York, Tracy sent up right-handed hitters Jahmai Jones, Eli White and Andruw Monasterio. Jones walked and White reached on an infield hit to load the bases, but Monasterio lined out to right field to end the threat.

    “I think at that point, we’re into 14 innings where we’re trying to get a run across,” Tracy said. “It’s like, let’s take our shot and go right there. Almost got it, and it just didn’t work.”

    Sandoval delivers strong start against Yankees

    Left-hander Patrick Sandoval, a significant underdog against top Cy Young candidate Schlittler, more than held his own. Sandoval limited the Yankees to three hits and one run over 5 1/3 innings, walking four and striking out seven.

    A solo home run by Goldschmidt in the bottom of the third inning was Sandoval’s only costly pitch. The performance was likely the best of his nine starts since returning from Tommy John surgery.

    “That’s what you want to do as a baseball player is play in these big games, high leverage, with something on the line,” Sandoval said. “And it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to do that. So that was really fun and I was really grateful for this opportunity.”

  • Cody Bellinger’s Three-Run Homer Helps Yankees Beat Mets

    Cody Bellinger’s Three-Run Homer Helps Yankees Beat Mets

    NEW YORK — The weight of September 11 permeated Yankee Stadium on Friday, visible in the first-responder caps resting on locker shelves and the memorial wreath that manager Aaron Boone, captain Aaron Judge, and ace Gerrit Cole carried into Monument Park during the early afternoon.

    Subway Series Victory on a Day of Remembrance

    A stirring pregame ceremony brought together members of the 2001 Yankees, who shared memories of a season when baseball helped a grieving city heal. In a Subway Series contest that belonged to New York, Cody Bellinger delivered the decisive blow, belting a three-run homer to power the Yankees to a 6-4 victory over the Mets.

    “It’s a special day,” Bellinger said. “Today was a day where it felt bigger than the game, bigger than yourself. It’s a day to be grateful, for sure.”

    Bellinger launched his 14th home run of the season against rookie right-hander Nolan McLean in the second inning, marking the first homer McLean has surrendered on a curveball in the major leagues.

    Personal History Adds Weight to the Moment

    Wearing pinstripes and an FDNY cap on this date carried profound personal significance for Bellinger. His father, Clay, played for those 2001 Yankees and became a firefighter in Gilbert, Arizona, after his playing career ended.

    “He was here with the team; went to Ground Zero with the team when they went,” Bellinger said. “We were in New York at the time, so it’s a pretty surreal day now to be here. He talked about the World Series, how important it felt.”

    The connection deepened when Bellinger was chosen to catch the ceremonial first pitch from Brielle Saracini. Her father, Victor Saracini, was the captain of United Flight 175, which was flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

    “[Baseball] was definitely what the country needed and what the country united around,” Saracini said. “It became this special thing that healed me. It healed 10-year-old Brielle.”

    “It was just a nice little touch to be able to swing that one,” Rice said. “It started with the ‘U.S.A.’ chants you heard right after the anthem; I mean, there’s nothing cooler than that. Everybody being so proud to be Americans, watching a baseball game between New York’s teams.”

    Luis García Jr. contributed three hits in the win, extending the Yankees’ winning streak to four games.

    “I’ve got to say, seeing the fans, seeing how much they were into the ceremony before the game, seeing the emotions from them was special,” García said through interpreter Marlon Abreu.

    Rodón Delivers Longest Outing of the Season

    Calling it a “heavy” assignment to pitch on this particular date, Carlos Rodón allowed two runs — one earned — over 6 1/3 innings, marking his longest outing of the year. The left-hander surrendered three hits, walked one, and struck out eight.

    “It was cool to be a part of,” said Rodón. “It’s sad, but it’s an honor to be able to pitch tonight.”

    Boone praised Rodón’s performance, noting the life on his four-seam fastball as well as the effectiveness of his changeup and slider. Rodón allowed a run-scoring groundout by Christopher Morel in the second inning, and an RBI single by A.J. Ewing off reliever Paul Blackburn in the seventh brought in an inherited runner.

    “Not only was his stuff really good, but he was efficient, too,” Boone said.

    Bednar Escapes Jam for Five-Out Save

    David Bednar recorded a five-out save, navigating a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth inning by surrendering only a sacrifice fly to Marcus Semien. Ewing homered off Bednar in the ninth, but the closer recovered to induce a game-ending double-play grounder from Juan Soto.

    “It was great,” Boone said. “Obviously as a club, you’re playing for a lot, but having some of the people involved today back and part of the pregame ceremonies – it felt special. The energy in the crowd was special. It felt like you’d want a ballgame to feel like.”