In a nail-biting contest at Yankee Stadium on June 4, 2025, the New York Yankees clinched a 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians, propelled by a masterful performance from starting pitcher Carlos Rodón, who won his seventh straight decision, and a triumphant return from Jazz Chisholm Jr. The game, played before a fervent crowd in the Bronx, showcased the Yankees’ grit, defensive prowess, and timely hitting. Rodón’s dominance on the mound and Chisholm’s dynamic offensive and defensive contributions were the cornerstones of the win, which improved the Yankees’ record to an impressive 37-22, while the Guardians dropped to 32-27. The tightly contested matchup underscored the intensity of the American League playoff race, with both teams vying for postseason positioning.
Carlos Rodón: Seventh Straight Win Cements Ace Status
Carlos Rodón delivered a performance that reaffirmed his status as the Yankees’ ace, tossing seven stellar innings and allowing just one earned run on five hits. With eight strikeouts, one walk, and an efficient 93 pitches (64 strikes), Rodón secured his seventh consecutive decision win, improving his record to 8-3 with a sparkling 2.49 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. This remarkable streak has solidified his role as the linchpin of the Yankees’ rotation, providing stability and confidence as the team pushes toward October.
The game began with a minor hiccup for Rodón, as Cleveland’s Andrés Martinez and José Ramírez singled in the first inning. However, he quickly found his rhythm, retiring the next three batters to escape unscathed. “Couple singles there in that first inning, but then you were extremely efficient thereafter,” a reporter noted in the post-game interview. Rodón credited his catcher, Jose Escarra, and the defense behind him: “JC called a great game, and then we made some big defensive plays there, you know, at the end with [Trent Grisham] with a great throw to second. Then DJ [LeMahieu] with a great tag. So, you know, kept that game one to one for me and let me get that last out.”The seventh inning proved to be Rodón’s toughest test. Ramírez led off with a single and stole two bases, showcasing his speed and base-running acumen (he finished with two hits and two stolen bases, boosting his season total to 16). “Ramírez starting off the inning, two hits and two stolen bases, you know, he’s got a dynamic to himself, too,” Rodón acknowledged. “The speed, the defense, you know, good player.” David Fry’s RBI single brought Ramírez home, tying the game at 1-1 and putting pressure on Rodón. But with runners on base, the Yankees’ defense stepped up, highlighted by Grisham’s outfield assist in center field. “Gish, the little bobble and then a heck of a throw to second,” Rodón said. “They picked me up there, and then I just tried to bear down and get the third out.” Rodón induced a groundout from Bo Naylor to end the threat, preserving the tie and setting the stage for the Yankees’ offense to take the lead, securing his seventh straight win.Rodón’s trust in his team’s offense and defense has been a cornerstone of his seven-game decision-winning streak. “These guys make it easy,” he said. “Offensively, we’re so good. I just know I have to get outs, and eventually, we’re going to score more than a few runs. Defensively, all year, we’ve been so great. It makes it easy to pitch.” When asked if facing a strong pitcher like Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee (6.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 SO, 107 pitches) heightened his focus, Rodón remained unfazed: “Not really. I have a lot of trust in our lineup. We’re pretty good. So, I just go out there and try to get outs.” His confidence and composure have been instrumental in his remarkable run, making him a pivotal figure in the Yankees’ 2025 campaign.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.: A Dynamic Return from the IL
Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s return from the injured list was nothing short of electric, as he delivered a 2-for-3 performance that included a solo home run and a single, driving in one run and scoring twice. His seventh-inning homer, a no-doubter that soared into the right-field stands, helped secure the Yankees’ lead. Chisholm’s impact extended beyond the plate, as he made several key defensive plays at third base, showcasing his versatility and athleticism.“Honestly, I pictured a three for three, but I take a two for three,” Chisholm said with a smile in his post-game interview. “Every day sitting on that bench, you’re thinking about coming back, especially [since] I didn’t have the best start. But at the same time, like, coming back and just starting strong and starting the season over, you know, starting everything over.” His mindset of treating his return as a fresh start fueled his performance, and his homer was a moment of pure instinct. Recounting a story about Reggie Jackson, Chisholm shared, “Our hitting coach told me a story about Reggie Jackson. He hit a homer that barely went over the fence, and he was like, ‘Hey, Reggie, how did you know that was gone?’ And he was like, ‘Well, I hit 567 of them.’ So, I told my coach, ‘My story is that I’ve hit a thousand home runs in my dreams.’”Chisholm’s versatility has been a hallmark of his career, and his willingness to play multiple positions—second base, center field, and now back to third base—reflects his team-first mentality. “I just want to win. I want a ring,” he said. “We have a lot of great guys in here, and I’ve really valued teamwork my whole career.” Having started the season at second base, Chisholm thought his days at third were behind him. “I really thought I was done at third base,” he admitted. “I didn’t think I was going to see it. I thought I left my career over there with a good stamp, you know, but I guess we’re back again.”The transition back to third base presented mental challenges, particularly with the longer throws to first base. “The mental thing about it is sometimes you catch the ball over there at third base and you look at the first baseman, you’re like, ‘Wow, he’s pretty far,’” Chisholm explained. “Even though you have the arm strength to get it over there, it’s just like sometimes you look, and it looks pretty far.” Having a reliable first baseman like Paul Goldschmidt eased the adjustment. “I could do anything over there,” Chisholm said. “All I got to do is throw it to first base. You just throw it anywhere, and they got you.” Rodón also praised Chisholm’s immediate impact: “It’s nice to have [Jazz] back, you know, the speed, the dynamic he brings to the game. Obviously defensively at third, another great play, and then that swing there in the bottom of the seventh.”
The game was a classic pitcher’s duel, with Carlos Rodón and Tanner Bibee trading zeros through the first four innings. The Yankees broke through in the fifth when DJ LeMahieu delivered a two-out RBI single, scoring Jazz Chisholm Jr., who had reached base earlier in the inning, giving New York a 1-0 lead. The Guardians responded in the seventh, as José Ramírez’s speed and David Fry’s RBI single tied the game at 1-1. However, the Yankees’ defense, led by Trent Grisham’s outfield assist and LeMahieu’s tag at second, prevented further damage, preserving Rodón’s chance for his seventh straight win. In the bottom of the seventh, Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s solo home run and Anthony Volpe’s solo home run, his seventh of the season, gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead.
The Guardians mounted a late rally in the ninth against closer Devin Williams. Williams, tasked with closing out the game in the ninth, nearly jeopardled a repeat of his season-long struggles, as he almost blew another save opportunity by allowing the Guardians to mount a late rally. Carlos Santana doubled, and pinch-hitter Daniel Schneemann delivered a two-out RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-2. With the tying run on base, Williams induced a flyout from Kyle Manzardo to secure his sixth save of the season, sealing Rodón’s seventh consecutive decision victory.The Yankees’ offense was efficient, managing just five hits but making them count with two home runs and a clutch single. Aaron Judge, despite going 0-for-2, drew two walks, maintaining his league-leading .485 on-base percentage. Cody Bellinger added a single, while Goldschmidt and Ben Rice struggled, combining for 0-for-8 with three strikeouts. Cleveland’s offense was paced by Ramírez’s two hits and Santana’s double, but they stranded 11 runners, including four in scoring position, hampering their comeback efforts. A fielding error by second baseman Wyatt Wilson in the sixth inning didn’t cost the Guardians, but their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities proved decisive.
Team Chemistry and a Playoff Push
The victory highlighted the Yankees’ balanced attack and cohesive clubhouse. Chisholm credited his teammates and manager Aaron Boone for easing his transition back to third base. “You got Judge, you got Volpe, and they come and talk to you,” he said. “When you have such a good relationship with the manager, you don’t mind doing anything for a guy that you have a good friendship with.” The support from veterans like Judge and Volpe, combined with Goldschmidt’s reliability at first, allowed Chisholm to play with confidence. “If I wasn’t playing third base good, they’d still come and back me up and tell me I’m playing great,” he said. “I could just go out there and feel free every day.”Rodón echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the team’s defensive and offensive support as key to his seven-game winning streak. “Right now, we’re playing some pretty good baseball,” he said. The bullpen also played a crucial role, with Mark Leiter Jr. pitching a scoreless eighth inning (1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 BB) to earn his ninth hold, and Williams navigating a tense ninth for the save. The Yankees’ zero errors, compared to Cleveland’s one, underscored their defensive reliability, which has been a hallmark of their 2025 campaign.As the season progresses, the Yankees are building momentum for a deep postseason run. Rodón’s emergence as a reliable ace, with seven straight decision wins, combined with Chisholm’s versatility and the team’s overall depth, positions them as a formidable contender. “This is my favorite organization I’ve ever been a part of,” Chisholm said. “I definitely want to help this team win.” With performances like these, the Yankees are sending a clear message: they’re ready to chase a World Series ring in 2025.
Felix Pantaleon is The Founder of NYYNEWS.com The First & Oldest Independent New York Yankees Content Creator Platform, Since 2005.Follow on Social Media
Instagram -
X.com
Dennis Cardone, DO, Chief of Primary Sports Care Medicine for NYU Langone’s Sports Medicine Center, joins Brandon London for the weekly ‘Injury Report’ segment to break down Luke Weaver recovery from a hamstring strain and why it’s not the same process as a position player’s would be. Check out the full video: https://trib.al/wU6Sds2
by 
