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)

ATLANTA (AP) — Another big Atlanta crowd finally got a chance to see Lionel Messi in an MLS match.

They nearly watched United pull out a much-needed win over league-leading Inter Miami.

Alexey Miranchuk scored with a booming shot in the 84th minute and the home team pressed hard for the winning goal in stoppage time, only to settle for a 2-2 tie with Messi's Miami club before an announced crowd of 67,795 on Wednesday night.

After making a triumphant return to the Miami lineup with two goals and an assist last weekend, Messi started this game on the bench. Coach Gerardo Martino wanted to manage the minutes of his 37-year-old Argentine star, who is coming back from national team duties and an ankle injury with the club in the midst of a busy stretch.

Messi trotted on the field in the 61st to a big roar, shortly after Leo Campana scored off a deflected free kick to put the Herons in front. But the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner couldn't find the net in his limited time on the field, drawing plenty of attention from the United defenders.

“You've gotta keep an eye on him,” Atlanta keeper Brad Guzan said with a wry smile.

In June, Messi made an Atlanta appearance for Argentina in the opening game of the Copa America. But he didn’t play a year ago when Miami visited Atlanta, disappointing a crowd of 71,635.

He made the trip this time around, thrilling the crowd simply by warming up with three teammates shortly into the second half. Fans in the lower deck whipped out their phones and began snapping pictures.

Miami moved to 19-4-6 for 63 points with five matches remaining in the regular season. The Herons are eight points ahead of Cincinnati and LA Galaxy in the race for the Supporters' Shield and home-field advantage throughout the MLS playoffs.

Messi showed flashes. most notably with a point-blank shot that was swatted away by Guzan. Luis Suárez, who also came off the bench, collected the rebound with an open goal in front of him, only to be blocked at the line by Atlanta defender Pedro Amador.

In stoppage time, Messi dribbled around three players in the penalty area but failed to get off a shot. Finally, he threw up his arms in frustration when a pass was intercepted by Atlanta.

“Whoever plays, we try to support each other,” Miami defender Franco Negri said through a translator. “We know what Leo means, the importance he has.”

Martino was suspended for the match due to an accumulation of staff cautions, leaving assistant coach Javier Morales to run the team.

“I think we had a good performance,” Morales said. “But of course, Atlanta is at home. They're going to push. They had a big crowd, and this was the kind of game we were expecting.”

With the home team trailing 2-1, Miranchuk unleashed a left-footed shot from 20 meters out that found the top left corner of the goal.

United had been waiting for a moment like this from the Russian player who joined the club during the summer transfer window for reported $13 million fee, one of the highest ever for an incoming player to MLS. It was his first goal in four league matches.

“There’s not many goalkeepers in the world that are gonna save that one,” Guzan said. “That’s a glimpse of his quality and what he can do with the ball at his feet. We're trying to encourage him to do that more often.”

Both teams pressed forward in the closing minutes, with Atlanta creating the bulk of the chances, but neither could break through.

It was a discouraging result for Atlanta, which is 11th in the Eastern Conference and one point of out a playoff berth.

“We need three points,” Guzan said. “You have as many chances as we had, we should be coming away with three points.”

Miami grabbed the lead on David Ruiz’s goal in the 29th off another deflection. Negri’s pass hit someone just outside the area, somehow got through three other players and wound up going right to Ruiz, who was all alone between two Atlanta defenders and slid the shot past Guzan.

United tied it in the 56th when Saba Lobjanidze’s header slipped between the legs of Miami keeper Drake Callender.

Campana put the Herons ahead with a free kick that was intended for the right corner of the Atlanta goal. But the ball deflected off Dax McCarty and ricocheted into the net on the left side. Guzan, diving the other way, never had a chance.

Two minutes later, Messi came on for Julian Gressel.

UP NEXT

Inter Miami: Faces New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.

Atlanta United: Travels to New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) works in front of Atlanta United midfielder Ajani Fortune (35) during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) works in front of Atlanta United midfielder Ajani Fortune (35) during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi controls the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi talks to a teammate during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami defender Serhiy Kryvtsov (27) and Atlanta United forward Daniel Ríos (19) battle for the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams (3) and Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana (8) chase the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta United defender Stian Gregersen (5) and Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana (8) battle for the ball during thre first half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after during a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi controls the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match against Atlanta United Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10), right, and Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams (3) battle for control of the ball during the second half of a MLS soccer match Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)