Paul Goldschmidt needed just one swing to etch his name in Yankees history and deliver New York a crucial victory.
The veteran first baseman launched a solo homer in the fourth inning Friday night, providing the only run in the Yankees’ 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Goldschmidt turned on a pitch from Phillies lefty Jesús Luzardo and sent it 371 feet to right field for his 16th home run of the season.
That swing made history.
At 38 years and 317 days old, Goldschmidt became the oldest player in Yankees franchise history to homer in a 1-0 victory. He’s also the second-oldest MLB player to pull off that feat over the last decade. The only older player? Cardinals legend Albert Pujols, who was 42 years and 218 days old when he powered a 1-0 win back on Aug. 22, 2022.
At 38 years & 317 days, Paul Goldschmidt is the oldest player in Yankees history to homer in a 1-0 win
He’s the second-oldest in MLB to do so in the last 10 years, behind 8/22/22 Albert Pujols (42y 218d)
New York managed just three hits against Philadelphia, but Goldschmidt made his count. The seven-time All-Star led off the fourth inning and broke a scoreless tie with his opposite-field blast. He finished 1-for-4 with two strikeouts, but that lone hit was everything the Yankees needed.
The Yankees loaded the bases in the fifth but couldn’t add to their lead. Luzardo escaped that jam and completed seven innings, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out nine.
Schlittler Dominates on the Mound
While Goldschmidt supplied the offense, Cam Schlittler made sure it held up. The Yankees right-hander delivered one of his best performances of the season, throwing 7⅓ scoreless innings. He allowed only three hits, struck out 12 batters, and didn’t issue a single walk while throwing 68 of his 99 pitches for strikes.
Schlittler departed with two runners on in the eighth, but Brent Headrick worked out of trouble by retiring Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber. David Bednar then pitched a perfect ninth for his 19th save, needing just nine pitches to close out the victory.
The performance improved Schlittler to 10-6 and lowered his ERA to 2.07. The Yankees pitching staff combined for 13 strikeouts, no walks, and only four hits allowed.
Goldschmidt entered the game batting .255 with 15 homers and 42 RBIs. His historic shot brings him to 388 career home runs and 43 RBIs this season. The 2022 National League MVP continues showing he can change a game with one swing, even as he approaches his 39th birthday.
The victory moved New York to 58-45 and kept them 1.5 games behind in the AL East race. It’s their second straight win, and on a night when offense was nearly impossible to find, Goldschmidt gave the Yankees exactly what they needed while adding another chapter to his remarkable career.
