PHILADELPHIA (AP) — DJ LeMahieu had a career-high six RBIs with a grand slam and two-run double, Nestor Cortes got his first road win this year and the New York Yankees extended their winning streak to five with a 6-5 victory Wednesday that completed a three-game sweep of the slumping Philadelphia Phillies.
Giancarlo Stanton added a pair of hits for New York, which rebounded from a 10-23 slide with its best stretch since eight consecutive wins from May 9 to June 6. The Yankees (65-45) headed home a half-game behind AL East-leading Baltimore (65-44).
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New York Yankees' DJ LeMahieu, center, celebrates his grand slam with Carlos Narvaez, left, as Philadelphia Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs, right, looks on during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes delivers during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Phillies' Austin Hays slides safely into second for a double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez delivers during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Carlos Estevez delivers during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh reacts after striking out with the bases loaded to end the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Yankees relief pitcher Clay Holmes delivers during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Yankees' DJ LeMahieu reacts after hitting a two-run double during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Yankees' DJ LeMahieu heads over to be interviewed following a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Yankees' DJ LeMahieu, center right, celebrates his grand slam with teammates during the second inning of a baseball game.against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Yankees' DJ LeMahieu hits a two-run double during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Yankees' DJ LeMahieu, center, celebrates his grand slam with Carlos Narvaez, left, as Philadelphia Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs, right, looks on during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
“We know we're good and when we play well, we know we can beat anyone,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
Weston Wilson homered and Nick Castellanos had three RBIs for the Phillies, who have lost four in a row and 11 of 15, cutting their NL East lead over second-place Atlanta to 6 1/2 games. Two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts, hit into a game-ending double play and is in a 1-for-30 slump.
“You know he's going to come out of it at some point; he's such a great hitter,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “He's going to start hitting home runs again, and he's going to start feeling good about himself. Maybe he needs a day off to clear his head a little bit.”
The Phillies had not been swept in a three-game series at home since July 22-24, 2022.
In a season-long slump, LeMahieu entered with a .173 batting average and 13 RBIs. The two-time batting champion hit his third career slam and had hit first game with two extra-base hits since last Aug 25. He joined Joe DiMaggio at Cleveland on May 23, 1948, and Yogi Berra at the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 2, 1958, and the only Yankees player with six RBIs who drove in all of New York's runs.
“It's been a tough go,” LeMahieu said. “Today felt good.”
He hit an 83.4 mph slider off Cristopher Sánchez (7-7) in the second inning, a 400-drive upheld when a video review determined a fan did not interfere while making contact with the ball.
“I was trying to put something in the air, put something in the outfield,” LeMahieu said. “Put a good swing on it.”
After Philadelphia closed to 4-3, LeMahieu hit a two-run double off in the sixth off José Ruiz.
“Really excited for him,” Boone said. “Obviously, guys know he's grinding, know he's going through it. He was clearly the difference today.”
Cortes (5-9) had been 0-5 with a 6.18 ERA in 11 road starts while 4-4 with a 2.47 at Yankee Stadium. He allowed three runs and three hits in 5 1/3 innings with six strikeouts. Cortes had been 0-4 in six starts since beating Baltimore on June 18.
“His stuff was great,” Boone said.
After setting a Yankees record with four home runs in his first three games Jazz Chisholm Jr. went 1 for 4 with a single.
Clay Holmes worked around Kyle Schwarber's leadoff single in the ninth for his 22nd save in 30 chances, his first since July 12. Holmes wasted a ninth-inning lead Tuesday with a run-scoring wild pitch.
“You want to get back out there and help the team win,” Holmes said.
Philadelphia nearly took the lead in the seventh when Austin Hays’ drive to left off Tommy Kahnle with two on was snared against the wall near the left-field foul pole by Alex Verdugo.
After Castellanos’ RBI single in the eighth pulled the Phillies within a run, newly acquired right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. stranded the bases loaded by striking out Brandon Marsh.
Sánchez allowed six runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts.
The teams played in front of another sellout crowd, with many Yankees fans once again among the 44,543. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole turning and laughed during the game when the Phillie Phanatic autographed a ball for New York players that said “Go Phils!”
“Anytime you get a sweep and play this well and win some tough, gritty games and you're going into an off day, that feels a little better,” Boone said.
UP NEXT
Yankees: Begin a nine-game homestand with a three-game set against Toronto on Friday night. Yankees RHP Marcus Stroman (7-5, 3.64) opposes RHP Kevin Gausman (9-8, 4.44).
Phillies: RHP Tyler Phillips (3-0, 1.80) starts at Seattle on Friday in the opener of a 10-game trip. The Mariners start RHP Bryan Woo (4-1, 2.35).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes delivers during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Phillies' Austin Hays slides safely into second for a double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez delivers during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Carlos Estevez delivers during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh reacts after striking out with the bases loaded to end the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Yankees relief pitcher Clay Holmes delivers during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Yankees' DJ LeMahieu reacts after hitting a two-run double during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Yankees' DJ LeMahieu heads over to be interviewed following a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Yankees' DJ LeMahieu, center right, celebrates his grand slam with teammates during the second inning of a baseball game.against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Yankees' DJ LeMahieu hits a two-run double during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Yankees' DJ LeMahieu, center, celebrates his grand slam with Carlos Narvaez, left, as Philadelphia Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs, right, looks on during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
PARIS (AP) — Officially, Indiana will be the home team on the scoreboard when it plays San Antonio in Paris on Thursday.
The Pacers know better. They will not be feeling right at home.
“It’s going to be a big crowd against us, honestly,” Indiana guard Andrew Nembhard said.
He’s not wrong, for one 7-foot-4 reason. The upcoming NBA Paris Games — Indiana vs. San Antonio on Thursday and Saturday, the Pacers being the designated home team for the first matchup and the Spurs getting that distinction for the second game — are essentially going to be a weeklong celebration of France’s own Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio’s reigning NBA rookie of the year who likely will be an All-Star this season for the first time.
In other words, welcome to Wemby Week in Paris.
The teams were arriving in Paris on Monday, with practices and other events scheduled throughout the week and then the games toward the end. There have been single games in Paris in each of the last two seasons — Chicago-Detroit in 2023, Brooklyn-Cleveland last year — but this season, it’s a two-game trip and Wembanyama is surely one of the reasons for that.
Ticket demand was off the charts. The games sold out in a day. Some tickets remain as part of packages; for example, a game ticket for Thursday, including a chance to grab a picture with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, will set you back $730. Flight not included, of course.
Then again, not everyone in attendance will have bought their tickets. Wembanyama arranged a treasure hunt for 10 tickets; there were QR codes hidden in five cities — Paris, Lyon, Lille, Marseille and Bordeaux — and he encouraged fans to start hunting.
“I couldn’t come back to the capital without giving you the opportunity to come see me play,” he wrote on social media.
The Spurs are a global brand with deep ties to France that pre-date Wembanyama’s arrival in San Antonio. Tony Parker and Boris Diaw helped the Spurs establish that relationship with France during their years in Spurs colors, and now the interest can be marked in plenty of ways off the court as well. Last week, the Spurs announced a series of events for this week in collaboration with Paris-Saint Germain, one of the world’s most-followed soccer teams.
“We have a long history with France for obvious reasons in many ways. So, it’s just another milestone or opportunity, I think, to probably strengthen that bond or connection,” Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson said. “Very cool for Vic. Obviously, he just got done in the Olympics as well.”
France played host to the Paris Games last summer and Wembanyama helped his home nation get to the gold-medal game against the U.S. He was spectacular in the final, scoring 26 points. It wasn’t enough, not with Stephen Curry leading the way with 24 for the Americans — capped by a barrage of four 3-pointers in the final couple of minutes to clinch the gold.
Wembanyama settled for silver that night. The games this week are in the same arena as the Olympic final was. He was asked earlier this season how often he thinks about this trip and getting to play in Paris again.
“All the time,” he said.
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton was on that U.S. Olympic team. He knows what that arena felt like and can envision what it’ll be like for Wembanyama’s return this week.
“The game has never seen anybody like him,” Haliburton said.
The Spurs played in Miami on Sunday and lost, then stuck around for a few hours to have some dinner and get their body clocks right for the 8-hour flight from South Florida to France. The Pacers were also arriving Monday and, like the Spurs, were planning to get at least a light workout in after landing to shake off the effects of the long plane ride.
Paris has been waiting. And Wemby will be welcomed back like a conquering hero.
“I think any time anybody gets to play (or) perform back home, especially when that’s not something you do consistently or regularly, it’s a pretty cool opportunity,” Johnson said. “I’m sure there’ll be people at the game that haven’t seen him play in a long time or typically maybe never have. You know, hometown kids get to see you … maybe they’ve never been to an NBA game. So, I know there’s a lot of things, not to speak for him, that I’m sure he’s looking forward to and that are unique in a very, very cool way for him to connect.”
AP Sports Writer Michael Marot in Indianapolis contributed.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (1) drives against Memphis Grizzlies' Desmond Bane (22) and Jaylen Wells during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, left, drives to the basket past Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks over Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) talks with guard Chris Paul (3) and guard Devin Vassell (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama wears a t-shirt in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. as he warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)