Encore! Jazz makes 'sick' history with 2nd straight 2-HR game

PHILADELPHIA -- As they considered their opportunity to acquire Jazz Chisholm Jr. in advance of Tuesday’s Trade Deadline, the Yankees reviewed all available information, wondering if the thrill of a postseason chase might unlock some untapped potential.

One opinion they received came from Derek Jeter, an authority on this particular player given his previous role in Marlins ownership. The Hall of Fame shortstop’s advice: Get him.

The front office listened to Jeter and others, and with Chisholm making an unbelievable first impression, they must be thrilled. Chisholm homered twice and drove in five runs while playing excellent defense Tuesday night, helping the Yankees to a gritty 7-6, 12-inning victory over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

“This is what I live for,” Chisholm said. “I love the lights. I love the big crowds. I love everything like that. It’s super exciting, and I’m enjoying it.”

After homering twice in Monday night's 14-4 win, including a ninth-inning blast hit with Aaron Judge’s bat, Chisholm became the first Yankee to belt four homers in his first three games with the team. Chisholm hit a solo homer off Aaron Nola in the sixth inning, then gave his team the lead with a three-run shot off Matt Strahm in the seventh.

“That’s sick, to be part of the history of the New York Yankees,” Chisholm said. “It’s one of the sickest things anybody in baseball could hear.”

Chisholm’s go-ahead drive was primed to secure the Yankees’ fourth consecutive victory, but there would be more work to do. Clay Holmes coughed up the lead in the ninth inning, dipping to 21-for-28 in save opportunities as he allowed three soft hits and uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Johan Rojas to score the tying run.

“He threw the ball great,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I know that’s not a popular thing … but that’s tough luck right there.”

In the 10th, Boone called upon Mark Leiter, Jr., a right-hander acquired from the Cubs earlier on Tuesday. The third member of his family to pitch for the Yankees after dad, Mark Sr., and uncle Al, Leiter arrived during the game and pinned the bases loaded in the 10th before Alex Verdugo lifted a sacrifice fly in the 11th.

“It’s a great legacy for my family,” Leiter said. “To get a chance to put on the pinstripes is pretty awesome.”

The advantage wouldn’t hold. Philadelphia answered against Michael Tonkin, who threw a wild pitch that allowed Bryson Stott to advance before Austin Hays hit a game-tying single. Gleyber Torres’ 12th inning sacrifice fly proved to be the winner, as Tonkin set down the Phils in the home half.

“He stayed locked in the whole time,” Judge said of Tonkin. “He was clutch for us tonight.”

None of that would have transpired without Chisholm, and these first 72 or so hours have been a whirlwind for the electric 26-year-old.

“I can tell you he’s having fun playing the game,” Boone said. “I can tell you he enjoys playing in this environment, on this stage. We’re a few days into this, but he’s embraced us, and I think everyone in that room has embraced him back. It’s fun to watch him do his thing.”

Acquired from Miami on Saturday in exchange for three Minor Leaguers, Chisholm joined the Yankees just in time to take the field for a Yankees-Red Sox game at Fenway Park, after which he gushed that he’d never played in front of such an intense rivalry crowd.

As Chisholm’s phone continued to buzz with messages from well-wishers, including the prime minister of the Bahamas, he gamely accepted a new challenge of moving to third base.

Chisholm worked out at the position early on Monday in Philadelphia and played flawlessly in that contest. He did so again on Tuesday, adding a nifty sliding play to rob Trea Turner of a seventh-inning hit.

As Boone raved: “He’s playing like he’s out in the backyard with his buddies, saying, ‘I’m better than you.’”

“It looks like he’s been playing there his whole life,” Judge added. “He brings a great energy. He runs the bases well. I kind of like having him in the middle of the lineup. He’s doing some damage, getting on base. He’s been a big part.”

That’s meaningful praise for Chisholm, who said that he appreciates being supported by his new teammates. Chisholm adds that he wants to show them that they can trust him to perform on offense and defense -- both now and deep into October.

“I’m having the most fun in the world right now,” Chisholm said. “I feel like a kid out there again.”