The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

JASRADO “Jazz” Chisholm Jr and the New York Yankees opened the 2025 Major League Baseball season by doubling up the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 last night at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees, who improved to 7-1 in their last eight opening days of MLB, rode the home runs from Austin Wells and Anthony Volpe, while their bullpen held off a late rally from the Brewers in the top of the ninth inning.

Devin Williams, the Yankees’ new closer, got some revenge as he held off the team that traded him to New York during the offseason as he was able to secure their 4-1 lead.

Working out of a bases loaded jam by the Brewers with no outs on a single, a double, and a walk, Williams gave up a run on a sacrifice fly by Brice Turang and then struck out Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich on changeup and fastball respectively.

Although he didn’t contribute offensively to their attack, Chisholm Jr had a solid defensive opener in his return to the Yankees’ line-up. He was acquired during mid-season last year from the Miami Marlins and is now playing his first full season in New York.

Batting fifth in the line-up, Chisholm Jr went 0-for-3 with a walk. He struck out in his first at-bat to lead off the bottom of the second, popped out to shortstop Joey Ortiz for the second out in the fourth, walked with one out in the sixth, but was left stranded on base and struck out again for the first out in the eighth. 

The Yankees, however, got an historic feat as Wells became the first catcher ever in major league and also the first Yankee player with a leadoff home run on opening day.

Carlos Rodon, in his starting role on the mound, pitched 5.1 innings, holding off the Brewers to just a home run from Vinny Capra for the MVP performance of the game. Then in the bottom of the 2nd, Volpe connected on a shot to right centre field for New York’s second homer to push their lead to 2-0. And in the 7th, Aaron Judge got a RBI double to plate Ben Rice and send Oswaldo Cabrera to third. A sacrifice fly by Cody Bellinger drove home Cabrera. 

The Yankees and Brewers meet again for the 2nd of their 3-game series in The Bronx Saturday with the first pitch set for 1:35pm. They will complete the series 1:30pm Sunday..