BRONX, NY — On a day dedicated to honoring the Yankees’ past, two of the organization’s young and upcoming homegrowns offered die-hard fans of the pinstripes in attendance a glimpse of the Bronx future.
As Spencer Jones drove in two runs against Atlanta’s Chris Sale on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium in front of a crowd of 45,222, and George Lombard Jr. later hit his second career major league home run, the Yankees defeated the Braves, 5-4.
On both sides of the diamond within his first week in the major leagues, rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. has provided the Yankees with a spark – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Doing his part on the mound and just as significant in the win was Gerrit Cole, reaching a franchise milestone. The 35-year-old right-hander became the fastest pitcher in Yankees history to reach 1,000 strikeouts (139 games) and just the 13th-ever.
“That was really cool to do it today,” Cole said of the Yankee strikeout feat, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out nine and walking none over seven innings.
“Today plus the win at home is how you draw it up I guess. When I think about it, I just feel really blessed. I don’t know. I never really expected these things as a kid so I kinda look back to where I started and just am taken back a little bit. Really thankful to be able to do it in front of a lot of great Yankees today, that just puts the bow on top.”
Gerrit Cole made history Saturday afternoon in the Bronx by becoming the fastest Yankee to record 1,000 career strikeouts in pinstripes – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
The game began at 3:05 p.m. EST and followed the Yankees’ annual Old-Timers’ Day celebration, its 78th edition. First-time participants included three local NY/NJ natives Dellin Betances, Todd Frazier and Adam Ottavino.
Austin Wells—who wore Thurman Munson inspired catching equipment last weekend to honor the Yankee icon on the anniversary of his passing in 1979—helped escort Munson’s widow Diana during the festivities’ introductions.
Austin Wells paid tribute to Yankees icon Thurman Munson last weekend during the 47th anniversary of Munson’s passing as well as on Saturday for the 78th annual Old-Timers’ Day – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
With the victory marking New York’s 29th comeback win of the season, the most in the American League—something that may be hard to believe with the up and down season from the Bronx Bombers—the Yankees fell behind 2-1 in the fifth inning before responding with two runs against Sale.
Lombard, 21, helped ignite the decisive rally by winning consecutive ABS challenges to turn two called strikes into balls, drawing a leadoff walk. Jones, 25, then lined an RBI triple into the right center field gap before scoring the go-ahead run when Sale was called for a balk.
Chris Sale was called for a balk in the fifth inning of Saturday’s loss to the Yankees which soon led to Atlanta manager Walk Weiss getting ejected by home plate umpire Dan Merzel – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
“That was as big as anything in the game, setting us up to win a game,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of Lombard’s challenges. “He controls the zone, and he’s strong and has power.”
Jones, finishing 2-for-3 with a triple, two RBI, a walk and a stolen base, had each of his hits come against Sale, one of baseball’s toughest left-handed pitchers. His second inning RBI single opened the scoring for the Yankees and his fifth-inning triple left the bat at 111.1-MPH
Spencer Jones made a winning impact in the Yankees’ 5-4 victory over the Braves on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, going 2-3 with a triple, walk, stolen base and two RBI – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Boone called Jones’ performance “excellent” and praised the adjustments the rookie outfielder has made, stating, “I feel like he’s gaining experience, and you can see it up there. Today, a lot more good at-bats, especially against about as tough as you’re going to face in Chris Sale.”
Lombard extended the lead to 4-2 in the seventh, driving an opposite-field home run into the right-field seats. The Cuban-American rookie shortstop—ending up 2-for-3 with the HR, a walk, two runs and an RBI—became the first player in Yankees history to record at least two home runs and three walks through his first four MLB games.
Ozzie Albies, Jim Jarvis and George Lombard Jr. chatting during a pitching change in Saturday afternoon’s Braves-Yankees matchup in the Bronx – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
“It’s a humbling game so I’m just trying to get better and better every day,” Lombard said, with Boone adding, “He looks great. We knew we were calling up a good player and were confident in his ability on both sides of the ball. Day in and day out so far, he’s done a great job.”
2023 National League LatinoMVP Ronald Acuña Jr. hit his 12th home run of 2026 in the eighth to pull Atlanta within one, but Ben Rice answered with a 431-foot solo HR, his 32nd of the season.
2023 NL LatinoMVP Ronald Acuña Jr. went yard in the eighth inning of Saturday’s loss to mark his 12th home run of 2026 – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
David Bednar surrendered a ninth-inning run before retiring Drake Baldwin for his 26th save.
The Yankees (66-51) will look to complete the series sweep of Atlanta (70-47) Sunday afternoon in the Bronx and with a win, it would be New York’s first sweep in nearly a month, dating back to a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals from July 10-12.
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