LeMahieu has career-high 6 RBIs, Yanks beat Phils 6-5 for 3-game sweep and 5-game winning streak

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).

“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)

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Vinícius Júnior missed a penalty and Real Madrid conceded an injury-time goal in a stunning 2-1 home loss to Valencia that shook its La Liga title defense on Saturday.

The shock result for Madrid was softened hours later when league leader Barcelona was held at home by Real Betis to 1-1. That meant Hansi Flick’s side extended its lead to only four points over its fierce rival. There are eight rounds left including a clasico in May.

Hugo Duro came off Valencia's bench and headed home the winner that silenced Santiago Bernabeu Stadium deep in stoppage time.

Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved Vinícius' early penalty and moments later Mouctar Diakhaby headed the visitors in front in the 17th minute.

Vinícius scored from close range to equalize in the 50th, but Mamardashvili and the defense held on until Duro struck and gave Valencia its first away win of the season.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti defended his team's effort, even saying that Madrid “deserved" to win the game and Vinícius' penalty was one of the match's “details that doomed us.”

But the Italian manager conceded that the unexpected loss was a blow in the title race.

“It is much harder now to fight for the league, but we only have one idea and that is to fight until the end because we still have a chance after this game,” Ancelotti said.

He had to play third-string goalkeeper Fran González, who made his first-team debut for Madrid at age 19, because Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin were injured. Ancelotti said he hopes both of his more experienced goalies will be fit in time to face Arsenal.

“We hadn’t won on the road and there is not a better place to do so than here,” Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra said. “There are three vital points for us and at a stadium where very few teams get a good result.”

The victory confirmed the team's improvement since Carlos Corberán replaced Ruben Baraja in December. It has risen from the relegation zone to 15th place and seven points from danger.

“When you see that from start to finish your players compete with the personality that you have to show at a ground like this, with the character you need to roll with the punches you get here, and that this attitude pays off, you have to be satisfied,” Corberán said.

Some jeers were heard from Madrid fans after Vinícius missed the penalty earned by Kylian Mbappé when his low and centered shot was easily saved by Mamardashvili. The Brazil forward also missed a penalty in a recent Champions League game against Atletico Madrid.

Ancelotti said he didn’t believe that the fans' reaction would affect his player.

“Vinícius is very focused on what he is doing, regardless of how he plays. He always gives it his all,” the manager said.

Two minutes later, Diakhaby, who returned from a serious leg injury in January, rose over Antonio Rudiger and headed in André Almeida’s corner kick.

Vinícius partly redeemed his penalty miss when he was left unmarked at the far post to stab in a corner headed on by Jude Bellingham. But Madrid pressed for the win and instead ended up losing the game when it was unable to defend a quick attack that finished with Rafa Mir’s tight cross that Duro thumped past a flailing González.

In a matchup of the hottest teams in La Liga, Betis rallied to pull level and then withstood a second-half onslaught at Barcelona.

Gavi Páez drilled a low strike home after a nice set-up by Ferran Torres to give Bacelona the lead in the seventh.

Fifth-placed Betis leveled though Natan’s header 10 minutes later, and goalkeeper Adrian San Miguel and former Barcelona defender Marc Bartra turned back a slew of shots by the hosts to split the points.

Barcelona hosts Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Also, Celta Vigo won at Mallorca 2-1, while Alaves won at Girona 1-0.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Barcelona's Jules Kounde reacts after missing a chance to score during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Real Betis at the Lluis Companys Olympic stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal lies on the pitch during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Real Betis at the Lluis Companys Olympic stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Fermin Lopez, center, is challenged by Betis' Romain Perraud, left, and Diego Llorente during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Real Betis at the Lluis Companys Olympic stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal controls the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Real Betis at the Lluis Companys Olympic stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Players of Real Madrid react after a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Valencia's Hugo Duro, left center, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Real Madrid during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, back center, scores his side's first goal against Valencia during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde reacts after a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Valencia's Hugo Duro, right, scores his side's 2nd goal against Real Madrid during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, falls chased by Valencia's Cesar Tarrega during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, controls a ball chased by Valencia's Cesar Tarrega during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, right, kicks a ball chased by Valencia's Mouctar Diakhaby during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe gestures during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts after missing a chance to score a goal against Valencia during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)