The New York Yankees delivered a commanding 10-5 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night at Yankee Stadium. However, the win showcases more about their power against weaker competition while questions linger about their performance against contending teams.
Schlittler shines in dominant start
Rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler once again carried the New York Yankees, throwing six shutout innings in a 10-5 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night at Yankee Stadium. The 24-year-old allowed four hits and three walks while striking out eight on 96 pitches. His first strikeout came against James Wood on a 100.6 mph fastball, the hardest pitch of his season.
“He’s good,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said with a laugh. “I mean, he’s good.”
It was Schlittler’s second straight outing of at least six scoreless innings. The rookie has now posted a 2.76 ERA across eight starts, strengthening his case as a fixture in the Yankees rotation down the stretch.
Power display continues record-setting pace
New York extended its major league lead in home runs to 219 after hitting three more. Ben Rice crushed a 435-foot solo shot in the third inning, the longest of his career, while starting at catcher and batting second.
“When you’re penciled in as catcher, you’re going to prioritize handling your pitcher and getting through that game,” Rice said. “But you’re also in the lineup to go hit.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with his 25th homer in the fifth inning, setting a new career high. His two-run blast was his sixth in his last 13 games, capped by his trademark bat drop.
“I’m trying to keep that swing there,” Chisholm said, crediting improved health for his recent run.
Jasson Dominguez later connected for a three-run shot in the seventh, his first home run since July 23.
Small ball success complements long ball approach
The Yankees didn’t just rely on power. Cody Bellinger drove in three runs, starting with a sacrifice fly in the first inning that drew Boone to call him “Mr. Sac Fly” from the dugout.
“In those situations, it’s OK, how am I going to try to win this at-bat?” Bellinger said. “And ultimately just try to put the best swing on the pitch I’m looking for.”
A five-run fifth inning broke open the game. Jose Caballero singled, Trent Grisham followed with another hit, and Aaron Judge doubled to score the first run. Bellinger then lined a two-run single before Chisholm’s homer made it 7-0.
Bullpen struggles in garbage time
The game turned sloppy in the ninth. Reliever Yerry De Los Santos walked in a run after two clean innings. Mark Leiter Jr. entered with the bases loaded and gave up a grand slam to Jacob Young, cutting the Yankees’ lead to 10-5.
The late damage did not change the result but again highlighted questions about bullpen depth heading into September.
Record in elite competition remains problematic
The victory improved the Yankees to 71-60 on the season, keeping them 5.5 games behind the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays. However, the win came against the National League East cellar-dwellers and did little to address concerns about their struggles against quality opponents.
The Yankees are just a .500 record against teams above .500 this season. The club dropped three of four games to the Boston Red Sox over the weekend and has won just two of 10 matchups against their division rivals this year.
The Yankees have compiled a combined 7-19 record against American League contenders Boston, Toronto, Houston and Detroit — four of the AL’s top clubs. Those struggles have overshadowed their ability to dominate weaker competition.
Rice emerges as catching option
Rice continued to impress both at the plate and behind it. He cut down Josh Bell attempting to steal second in the fourth, halting a Nationals scoring chance. Offensively, he is hitting .241/.339/.488 with 21 home runs and 48 RBI in 111 games.
With Austin Wells struggling, Rice has taken on more work behind the plate, giving the Yankees a productive two-way option heading into the stretch run.
Schedule provides Yankees opportunity
The Yankees continue their homestand against Washington before heading to Chicago for a four-game set with the White Sox. With seven straight games against two of baseball’s bottom feeders, the schedule offers a chance to pad wins.
Monday’s crowd of 36,939 at Yankee Stadium saw the Yankees pile up runs on a night celebrating the Broadway hit “Hamilton.” Every starter collected a hit through the first eight innings before the bullpen faltered late.
The victory again showed the Yankees can dominate weaker clubs. But the larger question lingers: whether they can carry that form into matchups with the American League’s elite, where October will ultimately be decided.
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