NEW YORK — In an electrifying display of power, Cody Bellinger showcased his extraordinary talent by hitting three two-run homers against his former team, the Chicago Cubs. Despite being robbed of a fourth home run, Bellinger’s performance played a pivotal role in the New York Yankees' impressive 11-0 victory. This win marked the Yankees' fifth consecutive triumph following a challenging six-game losing streak.
On the mound, Carlos Rodón (10-6), who earned the honor of being a three-time All-Star after being added to the American League roster earlier in the day, delivered a stellar performance. He allowed only four hits across eight innings, striking out eight batters while surrendering just one walk. Rodón’s commanding presence contributed significantly to the Yankees’ dominant win over the Cubs.
Bellinger, who played for the Cubs during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, achieved a personal milestone by recording his first career three-homer game. He tied his career high by driving in six runs, showcasing his offensive prowess. Bellinger started his home run barrage in the third inning with a three-run blast off Chris Flexen (5-1) and followed it up with another homer in the fifth against Caleb Thielbar, marking his 18th multi-homer game. In the seventh inning, Bellinger nearly added to his tally but was sensationally robbed by Kyle Tucker, who made a spectacular catch above the right-field wall. He capped off his impressive night with another homer in the eighth inning off Jordan Wicks, just eluding the glove of a leaping Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field.
Bellinger wasn’t the only star of the night; Aaron Judge also made headlines with his defensive prowess. The towering 6-foot-7 outfielder made three outstanding catches, showcasing his athleticism and commitment to the game. In the fourth inning, Judge leaped at the right-field wall to snag a 327-foot drive from Crow-Armstrong, denying what would have been the rookie's 26th home run. Judge continued to shine by diving for a backhand grab on a sinking line drive from Dansby Swanson, securing the third out of the inning. Later, with runners at the corners and two outs in the eighth, Judge thwarted another scoring opportunity for Tucker with a critical catch in the right-field corner.
One of the key statistics highlighting the Yankees' offensive resurgence is that they have now scored five or more runs in ten straight games. This marks the first time since July 6-18, 2012, that the Yankees have reached this impressive feat. The combination of Bellinger’s powerful hitting and Judge’s defensive heroics has energized the team and reestablished their competitive edge.
As the Yankees prepare for their next challenge, they will face the Chicago Cubs once again on Saturday. The matchup will feature Yankees' left-handed pitcher Max Fried (11-2, 2.27 ERA) against Cubs' lefty Matt Boyd (9-3, 2.52 ERA). Fans can expect another exciting game as both teams look to capitalize on their respective strengths.
