Jazz Chisholm Jr. Powers Yankees Past Red Sox with Aaron Judge’s Bat

Jazz Chisholm Jr. found an unexpected weapon in his quest to help the Yankees secure a win over the Red Sox on Sunday. After struggling through three hitless at-bats, the dynamic infielder made a pivotal decision at the bat rack, opting to swing with Aaron Judge’s 35-inch, 33-ounce bat. The switch proved to be a game-changer, as Chisholm launched the first pitch he faced into deep right-center field for a three-run homer, sealing a 6-1 victory for New York.

This homer marked Chisholm’s eighth of the season, and it came at a crucial moment, putting the game firmly out of reach for the Red Sox. Reflecting on his earlier struggles, Chisholm noted, “I was swinging and missing when I thought I was hitting the ball. Sometimes you just need a little more weight and a little less on your swing.”

Chisholm’s connection with Judge’s bat isn’t new; he previously borrowed it in his second game with the Yankees to hit a home run off a position player. However, that experience was not without its challenges, as he injured his right oblique after overexerting himself with the heavier bat last April. This time, he was determined to keep his approach simple. “When I pick up his bat I know I can’t swing as hard as I can, or else I’ll tear an oblique like last year,” he explained. “It helps to be able to just control the barrel, and just try to touch the ball instead of trying to hit it so hard.”

Chisholm has experimented with various teammates’ bats, although he steers clear of Paul Goldschmidt and Giancarlo Stanton’s, citing difficulty with Stanton’s bat. Interestingly, he even wore Stanton’s pants in a bid to break out of a slump late last month. As for his performance, Chisholm has been in fine form, hitting .306 with 11 RBI and a .918 OPS over his last 19 games, showcasing his ability to adapt and thrive in the Yankees’ lineup.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.