ST. LOUIS — The New York Yankees bullpen finally stepped up when it mattered most, combining with Cody Bellinger’s spectacular “shoestring” play to secure a vital 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night at Busch Stadium.
Luke Weaver and David Bednar provided the steady relief pitching the Yankees have desperately needed, closing out the final seven outs in a nail-biting finish that ended with Bellinger’s diving catch of Yohel Pozo’s sinking line drive.
The victory improves New York to 65-57 and extends their American League wild-card lead to 1.5 games over Cleveland, providing crucial breathing room in their playoff chase.
Yankees bullpen overcomes early struggles
After Camilo Doval allowed two runs in the seventh inning to make it 4-3, Weaver entered with runners on second and third base. The left-hander struck out Lars Nootbaar with a changeup to escape the immediate threat and keep the Yankees ahead.
“We just need to win,” general manager Brian Cashman had emphasized before the game. “We’ve got to win tonight’s game and keep it simple, one game at a time.”
Weaver faced another challenge in the eighth when he allowed a two-out single to Ivan Herrera. The reliever then committed an error on a pickoff attempt, with the ball sailing past first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and putting the tying run in scoring position. Weaver responded by striking out Nolan Gorman to preserve the one-run advantage.
The performance marked a significant improvement for a bullpen that has struggled throughout the season’s final months.
Bednar delivers clutch save
David Bednar, acquired at the trade deadline, worked a perfect ninth inning for his second save as a Yankee. The right-hander struck out two batters before Bellinger provided the defensive highlight of the night.
With one out in the ninth, Pozo hit a sinking liner toward left field. Bellinger, who had moved from first base to left field in the late innings, made a running catch to secure the victory.
“Hadn’t been over there in a while and just looks like a complete natural over there at first,” manager Aaron Boone said of Bellinger’s versatility. “And then doing what he normally does in the outfield. Has a ball sinking, hooking, not an easy play at all. That’s what he does. That’s why he’s Cody Bellinger.”
Defense sets early tone, late finish
The Yankees benefited from exceptional defense throughout the game, with Bellinger leading the way. The former Gold Glove winner turned four double plays, including a spectacular solo effort in the third inning when he caught Victor Scott II’s line drive and doubled off Pedro Pages.
Luis Gil, making his third start of the season, received crucial support from the defense. The right-hander induced three inning-ending double plays through his first three innings, helping him navigate early traffic.
“No. 1 tonight, the defense,” Gil said through his interpreter. “That’s what really helped me out tonight and allowed me to get to the sixth inning.”
Gil pitched 5.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters. He escaped his biggest jam in the fifth inning with runners on second and third and no outs.
The right-hander benefited from stellar defensive support but showed improved command compared to his previous outings. Gil’s ability to escape the fifth-inning jam with runners on second and third demonstrated the poise the Yankees have been seeking from their rotation.
Offense provides early cushion
New York jumped ahead early against Cardinals starter Andre Pallante. Trent Grisham opened with a walk, Ben Rice doubled, and Aaron Judge drove in the first run with a groundout.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. then delivered the decisive blow with a two-run homer down the right field line for his 21st of the season, giving the Yankees a 3-0 lead.
“I feel like we’re starting to click as a team,” Chisholm said after the game. “I feel like the energy’s starting to come back.”
The Yankees extended their advantage to 4-0 in the third when Chisholm walked, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Jasson Dominguez’s two-out single.
Cardinals mount late rally
St. Louis finally broke through in the sixth inning when Gil allowed back-to-back doubles to Lars Nootbaar and Masyn Winn, ending the starter’s night. Mark Leiter Jr. entered and walked the first batter before inducing another inning-ending double play.
The Cardinals made their biggest push in the seventh against Doval. After the reliever walked Jordan Walker and hit Pedro Pages, Victor Scott II delivered an RBI double to make it 4-2.
Doval’s struggles continued when Weaver entered and threw a wild pitch that allowed Pages to score from third, cutting the Yankees’ lead to 4-3.
The shoestring play
Cody Bellinger delivered the defensive play of the night to preserve the Yankees’ tense 4-3 victory over the Cardinals on August 15, 2025. With two outs in the ninth inning and the tying run looming, Bellinger charged forward and made a shoestring catch on Yohel Pozo’s sinking liner.
The spectacular grab ended St. Louis’ late rally and locked down David Bednar’s save, showcasing Bellinger’s versatility and defensive instincts. Having already flashed his glove at first base earlier in the game, the veteran’s clutch outfield work underscored his value to a Yankees team fighting to stay afloat in the playoff race.
Playoff implications
The victory keeps the Yankees in the thick of the wild-card race while preventing further ground loss in the AL East. New York remains 6.5 games behind first-place Toronto but gained valuable separation from Cleveland for the final playoff spot.
The Yankees have won three of their last four games as they attempt to build momentum following a difficult summer. The club went 23-32 since June 13 but appears to be finding its footing at a crucial time.
Dominguez made his first start since August 10, finishing 1-for-4 with the crucial RBI single. Caballero contributed two hits in three at-bats while starting in right field.
Series continues
The three-game series resumes Saturday as both teams seek to solidify their postseason positioning. For the Cardinals (61-62), Friday’s loss keeps them in the middle of the National League Central standings.
Gil’s performance continued his improvement since returning from a lat strain that cost him the season’s first five months. After a rocky debut in Miami, the right-hander has allowed three earned runs over 10.2 innings in his past two starts.
The Yankees’ combination of timely pitching, clutch defense, and just enough offense provides a template for success as they navigate the season’s final 40 games. Friday’s victory demonstrated the type of complete team effort necessary for October baseball.
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