CLEVELAND — Jazz Chisholm Jr. needed a double-take on the basepaths to make sure that was Spencer Jones launching his first career home run 443 feet to the deepest part of Progressive Field and not a three-time MVP.
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Try it free“That was sick,” Chisholm said. “Being at first, I thought it was Aaron Judge when he hit that ball. It blasted off the bat.”
Jones’ milestone broke a scoreless tie in the second inning and helped the Yankees to a 3-2 victory against the Guardians on Tuesday night.
“It felt good to get my swing off the way [I] know that I can,” Jones said. “Fun getting the first one out of the way. Proverbial monkey is off the back, so we’re ready to go.”
Jones turned around an 87 mph cutter from Slade Cecconi. The ball bounced off a wall and landed in the protected shrubbery behind center field to make for a relatively easy keepsake retrieval.
Spencer Jones of the New York Yankees runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run for his first Major League home run during the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on June 9, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Getty Images
“I looked in the dugout and no one was looking at me,” Jones said. “It was a surreal feeling being able to high-five the third base coach and come back to the dugout and everybody was so jacked up.”
Jones put the ball in a Ziploc bag.
“Lucky to get it back,” he said.
The two-run homer continued a good streak for Jones since he was recalled from Triple-A to play right field while Judge and Jasson Domínguez are on the injured list. He had his first career three-hit game Friday, a single in the ninth inning off the American League’s best reliever (Cade Smith) on Monday and two hits Tuesday.
The 6-foot-7 Jones is capable of prodigious power. He hit 35 home runs in 116 games across Double-A and Triple-A last season, including a stretch of 10 long balls in 12 games, and 13 more in 43 Triple-A games this season.
Spencer Jones of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run for his first Major League home run during the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on June 9, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images“That’s a line drive to center for most people,” manager Aaron Boone said. “The thing is, he hits it and you kind of know where it’s going because you know of his power.”
Anthony Volpe was back at shortstop Tuesday after not starting Monday, when he entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. José Caballero was on the bench.
“Could’ve gone either way,” said Boone, who made the decision after Monday’s game with bench coach Brad Ausmus. “Want to keep them both playing regularly as much as I can.”
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Volpe, who has played well defensively this season, was eaten alive by a “bullet” single that allowed a two-out run to score when he couldn’t knock it down.
Gerrit Cole took responsibility for his late break to cover first base on what wound up as a game-tying RBI infield single with two outs in the third inning. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt made a diving stab down the line.
“There’s no avoiding it: That’s a half-step late,” Cole said. “I broke over there, not full go. My initial thought is, ‘Double.’ So [cover] third, home? Whatever, man. Just got to be better. Paul made a great play.”
