CLEVELAND — If this series was a postseason preview — and the three games took on that kind of intensity for some in the visiting clubhouse — then it ended how it usually does whenever the Yankees face an AL Central “power” in the playoffs.
The Aaron Judge-less Yankees fed off a pair of three-run rallies to finish off a three-game sweep of the Guardians in an 8-4 matinee victory Wednesday in front of 31,586 at humid Progressive Field. It was their sixth sweep of the season, their first of at least three games in Cleveland since 2007 and sufficient vengeance for going 1-2 against the Guardians (37-33) at home last week.
Access the Yankees beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.
Try it free“Guys did a little bit of everything today offensively, whether it was some situational hitting, a double steal helped us add on a little bit,” manager Aaron Boone said. “These series are great because you pick up three wins, which is huge, but with really having, it seems like, the entire roster contributing in meaningful ways in winning scenarios, you love that.”
The bottom five in the lineup accounted for six hits, four walks, seven runs and six RBIs as the Yankees (41-26) improved to a season-high 15 games over .500.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., who was vilified by a booing crowd, followed up his game-winning home run Tuesday with a stolen base, two runs scored and three RBIs.
“They had fans booing us, but at the same time everybody boos us,” Chisholm said. “It’s just because we’re the Yankees.”
Starting pitcher Carlos Rodón #55 of the New York Yankees pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians. Getty ImagesChisholm, who was the subject of a dig last week from Guardians radio announcer Tom Hamilton for appearing on “The Tonight Show” with a then-.239 batting average, said Kansas City felt more like a playoff atmosphere than Cleveland. Other Yankees said this series had a “playoff” feel.
“Let your stick talk, let your game talk,” Chisholm said. “I’m one to always speak out loud too, but at the same time it’s even better when your game shows it.”
José Caballero added two hits and two RBIs, and Trent Grisham chipped in two hits and three runs scored. Not bad considering the game started with those two narrowly avoiding an ugly collision in right-center field.
With Caballero — the season-opening shortstop — in right field to make room for Anthony Volpe, he and Grisham bumped into each other. Grisham hit his head on the wall after making a two-out catch while calling for the ball.
Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham (12) scores around the tag of Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) during the sixth inning. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect“We were just both going for the ball,” Grisham said, “but I’m OK.”
Grisham put the Yankees ahead 4-3 in the sixth inning with a nifty slide to the inside of home plate, turning Caballero’s foul out to shallow left field into a sacrifice fly.
“I saw it in the best view, right there close to the plate,” Caballero said, “and it was a great slide.”
Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run on an error by Cleveland Guardians second basemen Travis Bazzana. AP Photo/David DermerVolpe added a slump-busting, two-out RBI double as the late-game rout got started. Paul Goldschmidt knocked in Volpe.
“To take it from 4-3 to 6-3 with some good two-out hitting,” Boone said, “that’s among those winning things we did this week.”
The five runs charged to Parker Messick (6-3) were the rookie’s career high through 21 starts.
“We have so many ways to win games,” Caballero said. “Like today, we didn’t even hit a homer but still managed to win the game.”
The score was tied 3-3 after four innings as both teams played sloppy defense.
Chisholm sandwiched a two-run triple — which included right fielder Angel Martínez slipping to his butt after corralling the ball — between two errors in the second inning.
- WinCraft insulated can coolers
- Team Effort driver head cover
- 47 Brand adjustable cap
- Customizable jersey
- Logo fleece blanket
- 14-ounce sculpted relief coffee mug
The Yankees survived Volpe’s throwing error in the third and he atoned with a nice sliding play to cut down a runner at third base in the ninth.
Carlos Rodón created his own mess with back-to-back leadoff walks — both of which came around to score — in the fourth.
“Just fell behind and gave up some free bases,” Rodón said. “Maneuvered through it a little bit and the boys picked me up on the back end, scoring a bunch of runs.”
Rodon battled back from seeing his second pitch land on the left field concourse courtesy of Martínez’s second career leadoff home run and second blast of the series. He turned in a quality start — allowing three runs on four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in six innings — to save a bullpen that had pitched 10 ²/₃ innings over the previous two days.
“I knew I had to give some sort of depth and was more than willing to go whatever pitch count they had me at,” Rodón said. “The goal was to get 18 outs and if I could more than that, it was a plus.”






