DJ LeMahieu hit a grand slam and a milestone Saturday. The Yankees infielder hammered his second career grand slam in the second inning of the Bombers 7-5 win over the White Sox at Yankee Stadium.
It came on the day he reached 10 years of service time in the big leagues.
“It’s hard to wrap my mind around 10 years. If they would have told me that 10 years ago I would have been here now, I would have been pretty shocked,” LeMahieu said. “Ten years and have a good game and get a win, I can’t ask for much more.”
An average player’s career in the big leagues is just over three years.
The Yankees rebounded after a loss Thursday in Baltimore and a rainout on Friday. They have only lost back-to-back games once this season. They have won five of their last six and 10 of their last 12 games. They maintain the best record in baseball at 29-10.
The game was marred by allegations from White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson that Yankees designated hitter Josh Donaldson made a racist comment to him by calling him “Jackie,” in reference to Jackie Robinson. Anderson is Black. Donaldson denied any racist intent saying it referred to an interview Anderson did in 2019 calling himself ‘today’s Jackie Robinson.’ Donaldson said they had joked and laughed about it before.
MLB was investigating the issue Saturday night.
LeMahieu’s grand slam came in the second inning off White Sox lefty Dallas Keuchel. His previous slam was Aug. 27, 2018. It was LeMahieu’s third home run of the season and the first grand slam by a Yankee this season. It marked his 49th homer in four seasons with the Yankees, matching the total he had in the eight seasons he played with the Rockies.
“It was a really good day [offensively],” LeMahieu said. “We just had really good at-bats all day today and I just had one big swing.”
Anthony Rizzo, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Donaldson each drove in a run.
Nestor Cortes gave up a season-high three runs — the most since he allowed three on Sept. 20, 2021 against the Rangers — on six hits. He gave them all up on Jose Abreu’s three-run shot to left field in the third inning. It was the fourth home run he has allowed this season.
Despite not having his best stuff, Cortes struck out seven and did not walk a batter.
“The first three innings I was scattered, couldn’t get a rhythm down,” Cortes said. “Because we’re going a little slower to start the game. For the fourth and fifth inning, we were a lot better.”
Clay Holmes got four outs for his fourth major league save. The right-handed sinkerballer struck out two in the scoreless 1.1 innings and extended his streak of 21.0 scoreless innings which is currently the longest in the majors. He has also made 19 scoreless appearances this season, also the most in the big leagues.
“He’s been special, probably as good a reliever as there’s been in the league. I would think to this point I can’t imagine anyone being any better,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Obviously, there in a big spot. I wanted him to face the top of their order with all those righties coming up and to be as efficient as he was doing it against some great right-handed hitters. He’s off to a really special start. And it’s fun to watch him go out there and do his thing.”
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