Yankees Fall Short in Thrilling Nine-Inning Battle Against A’s The New York Yankees fell just short of extending their winning streak to six games in a dramatic showdown against the Oakland Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Saturday night. Despite a valiant ninth-inning rally that brought the deficit to just two runs, the Yankees ultimately succumbed to the A’s 6-4 decision, ending their five-game winning streak. The game, marked by tense moments and clutch plays, highlighted the Yankees’ resilience but also their inability to capitalize on key opportunities. The Yankees entered the ninth inning trailing by five runs, but a sequence of consecutive walks by Ben Rice, Aaron Judge, and Cody Bellinger forced in runs, cutting the deficit to two and loading the bases. The rally sparked hope for a comeback, but the inning ended when Jazz Chisholm Jr. grounded out to first base, sealing the loss. Third baseman Ryan McMahon’s one-out bloop single into center field had ignited the rally, while catcher J.C. Escarra followed with a walk, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. The A’s pitching staff, however, proved unyielding. After Anthony Volpe’s strikeout, reliever Jack Perkins walked Trent Grisham to load the bases, prompting the A’s to replace Perkins with Scott Barlow. Barlow allowed Rice, Judge, and Bellinger to reach base in succession, but the Yankees’ momentum was halted when first baseman Nick Kurtz made a game-saving play. Kurtz fielded a 91.3 mph chopper from Chisholm and sprinted to first base, ending the inning and the game. Kurtz’s heroics extended beyond the ninth inning. In the bottom of the seventh, he launched a two-out, two-run home run off Yankees starter Ryan Weathers, shifting the game’s momentum.#new_york_yankees #jazz_chisholm_jr #oakland_athletics #sutter_health_park #ryan_kurtz
Anthony Volpe's go-ahead single lifts Yankees over Royals KANSAS CITY – The New York Yankees extended their regular-season winning streak against the Kansas City Royals to 11 games with a 4-3 victory at Kauffman Stadium on Monday. The decisive moment came in the ninth inning when Anthony Volpe delivered a two-strike, two-run single to left field, breaking a 2-2 tie and securing the win for the Yankees. This marked the longest winning streak against a single opponent in Yankees history since their 12-game run over the Boston Red Sox in the 2019-2020 seasons. The Royals had taken an early lead in the second inning with a solo home run from Salvador Perez, and they added another run in the sixth inning after a walk from Jake Bird allowed Michael Massey to score on a sacrifice fly. However, the Yankees mounted a comeback in the eighth inning when Bobby Witt Jr. hit a leadoff home run off Bird to tie the game. The Royals regained the lead in the top of the ninth, but the Yankees’ offense responded with a two-out rally. Paul Goldschmidt reached on an infield single, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. advanced him to second with a double, setting the stage for Volpe’s clutch hit. Volpe, who had sat out the previous two games due to José Caballero playing shortstop, stepped up with runners at second and third. Facing Lucas Erceg, the Royals’ closer, Volpe worked a 1-2 count before hitting a single to left-center field. “It just felt great to contribute and help the team win,” Volpe said. “You do it for this, for the guys. I’m just trying to go out there and compete. Help the team win and have fun. It’s the same game I’ve been playing forever. We have really big goals, and it’s going to take all of us.#new_york_yankees #anthony_volpe #kansas_city_royals #jazz_chisholm_jr #kauffman_stadium
2026 Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft, No. 5 Pick Analysis The 2026 MLB season is approaching, prompting fantasy baseball enthusiasts to prepare for their drafts. To help, a mock draft is being conducted using Yahoo’s Instant Mock Draft tool for a 12-team league, focusing on the No. 5 overall pick. The draft follows Yahoo’s default points league settings, emphasizing value and position-specific needs. The selected roster includes Kyle Teel as the catcher, Pete Alonso at first base, Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base, Corey Seager at shortstop, Colson Montgomery at third base, Ronald Acuña Jr., Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Riley Greene in the outfield, with Jo Adell, Dylan Crews, and Dylan Lile as utility players. The pitching staff features Kevin Gausman, Spencer Strider, Aroldis Chapman, Jeff Hoffman, Ryan Pepiot, Carlos Rodón, Bubba Chandler, Casey Mize, and a bench of Ryan Jeffers, Daylen Lile, Andrés Giménez, Jordan Beck, and Corbin Burnes. The analysis highlights key decisions. For the starting pitcher position, the author advises against selecting top-tier starters early, suggesting that mid-round options may offer better value. Acuña is prioritized as the highest-upside bat, despite concerns about his health. At 28, Acuña’s potential remains high, as evidenced by his 2023 NL MVP season. Yahoo analyst Fred Zinkie notes Acuña’s strong case for a top fantasy finish, though his injury history is a risk. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is selected third-round, despite his lower projections. The author acknowledges his Yankees affiliation but believes Chisholm’s power potential and prime lineup placement justify the pick. His 2025 performance, including 30 homers, supports his value. Colson Montgomery, a White Sox third baseman, is another high-ceiling pick.#yahoo #kyle_teel #pete_alonso #jazz_chisholm_jr #corey_seager
