Yankees' rookie Jorbit Vivas hits first MLB home run, and it proves to be a game-winner
NEW YORK - A baseball that flew an estimated 360 feet in the Bronx will soon travel to Venezuela.
"First thing I did was call my mom,'' said Yankees rookie Jorbit Vivas, after his first big-league home run was the difference in a 1-0 win against the Texas Rangers at windy, raw Yankee Stadium.
Advertisement
Back home in Puerto Cabello, Vivas' family has followed each of his 17 big-league games. 'They've been there for me since I was a little kid,'' he said through an interpreter.
So, at some point, 'I'll take it back home to Venezuela, give it to my family,'' Vivas said of the prized baseball retrieved by Stadium security.
On an overcast and unseasonably cool Thursday afternoon, Vivas jumped on Nathan Eovaldi's first-pitch fastball leading off the fifth inning and launched it into the lower right field stands.
That helped the first-place Yankees (30-19) complete a 5-1 home stand, sweeping the Rangers (25-26) in a three-game set for the first time since 2021.
Yankees' Jorbit Vivas gains playing time
May 22, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jorbit Vivas (90) celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Eovaldi was locked in a pitchers' duel with Yankee lefty Carlos Rodon when Vivas connected.
Advertisement
"My first at-bat (resulting in catcher's interference) he threw me a couple fastballs, and I was looking for something high in the zone, ready to hit,'' said Vivas, batting .319 with two homers in 26 games at Triple-A on May 2, when the Yankees summoned him from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
As the ball sailed over the right field wall, "so many things are going through my head in that moment,'' said Vivas. "My first one, finally. Very excited and happy about it.''
The lefty-hitting Vivas drew Thursday's start at second base, with veteran DJ LeMahieu getting a rest from the starting lineup ahead of a three-city Western road trip that begins Friday night at Colorado.
LeMahieu wound up pinch-hitting for Vivas in the seventh inning, against a lefty reliever.
Advertisement
Yet, Vivas is expected to see increased starting time, along with Oswald Peraza, with Oswaldo Cabrera likely out for the season due to a left ankle fracture suffered last week at Seattle.
"It's special. You're helping your team win,'' said Vivas, just the fourth Yankee to help them to a 1-0 victory via home run in the last 15 seasons.
"And from day one, that's' what I'm trying to do here – find a way to help this team win any way possible.''
Watch Jorbit Vivas' first career home run
Yankees' efficient pitching starts with Carlos Rodon
May 22, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) with catcher J.C. Escarra (25)after the top of the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Boosted at times by solid defense by Peraza at third base and Cody Bellinger in right field, Rodon lowered his seasonal ERA to 2.88 with six scoreless innings, yielding just two hits and two walks, with eight strikeouts.
Advertisement
"It's been a lot of really good,'' manager Aaron Boone said of Rodon, now 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA over his last seven starts, posting a 1.48 ERA.
In fact, Yankees starters in this Gerrit Cole-less season (elbow surgery), and with Luis Gil (lat strain) sidelined probably until July, have posted a stellar 2.68 ERA in 34 starts since April 14.
"Efficient, just getting ahead of guys,'' said Rodon, whose fastball-slider combo was especially effective. And he was even tougher when Escarra began calling for more curveballs and sliders later on.
"Now, he has four pitches he can use at any time,'' said Escarra, the 30-year-old rookie who played another unsung role for a club that has won 11 of its last 14 games.
Advertisement
Eovaldi also exited after six innings, and both bullpens fought to a draw as the Yankees (30-19) received a scoreless inning apiece from Mark Leiter Jr., Devin Williams and Luke Weaver (seventh save).
Luke Weaver works a third straight game
May 22, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Luke Weaver (30) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Due to his low pitch counts, Luke Weaver got the ninth inning call for a third straight day – a rarity for Boone's bullpen.
'Being efficient sometimes is really good. It allows you to be available,'' said Weaver, emerging with two saves and a win against Texas.
Tuesday's save was a one-batter, two-pitch effort.
Weaver followed another sharp eighth inning from Devin Williams, with two groundouts and a strikeout against Texas' top of the order.
Advertisement
Removed from the closer's role in late April, Williams has rediscovered his signature 'Airbender' changeup and hasn't yielded a run in his last seven outings, and 10 of his last 11.
All told, Weaver threw just 18 pitches during the Texas sweep, as many pitches as Mark Leiter Jr. did in escaping his own seventh-inning jam Thursday.
'I didn't throw a lot of pitches, so I didn't really have an excuse,'' said Weaver, who also referenced Fernando Cruz (shoulder) going to the injured list Thursday.
'This is a collective effort (and we) want to make sure we pick each other up.''
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees' rookie Jorbit Vivas hits his first MLB home run Thursday
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Going bananas: Why Savannah Bananas tickets cost more than a Dodgers-Yankees rematch
In a region where baseball is king, the long-awaited rematch of last year's World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees is unfolding. Ohtani. Judge. Two of the game's best, facing off once more. But just down the 5 Freeway in Anaheim, the home of Disney, the hottest ticket in baseball this weekend belongs to a stilted pitcher, juggling infielders and a yellow-suited, top hat-wearing carnival barker. Advertisement For back-to-back nights, more than 45,000 fans packed the Big A to see the Savannah Bananas — a team born from a small-time collegiate summer team that became a tour de force that has forever changed baseball. It was one stop during the Bananas' most audacious barnstorming effort since their baseball traveling show hit the road just a few years ago. The Savannah Bananas celebrate amid confetti after beating the Firefighters at Angel Stadium on Friday. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) These tickets were only available through a lottery — reserved months in advance. And when they went on sale, all were gone in an instant. The only way in was through the resale market, where just hours before first pitch on Friday, the lowest price (fees and taxes included) for a pair of tickets on StubHub was $209.52. Meanwhile, two lowest price StuHub tickets for the Dodgers versus Yankees game were available for $171.72. Advertisement All for the sake of 'Banana Ball.' This baseball game is a ballyhoo. One rooted in the thrills, energy and pageantry of early 20th-century carnivals, but with a 21st-century twist — the atmosphere of a TikTok reel brought to life. It's the showmanship of Ringling Brothers Circus combined with the athletic flair of the Harlem Globetrotters. Read more: Meet the Savannah Bananas, who've captivated fans and MLB. 'We exist to make baseball fun' But above all, it's a brand built on Walt Disney's blueprint— not just to entertain, but to make the audience feel. 'When you look at all the touch points — the joy, the fun, the dancing, the celebrating — and think about all the different stages, just like Walt, we think about all the stages: from the parking lot to the plaza, to the upper deck, to the dugouts,' said Bananas owner Jesse Cole, the man in the top hat. 'How do we make someone feel something?' Advertisement Instead of lounging in a cushy, air-conditioned owner's suite, Cole is in the dugout hours before showtime — a Disney-like archetype, his energy as vibrant as his layered, all-yellow suit, braving the afternoon heat. Savannah Bananas founder and owner Jesse Cole leads the crowd in a cheer as his team takes on the Firefighters at Angel Stadium on Friday. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) 'Nonstop,' Cole said, describing Banana Ball in a nutshell. Refusing to sit, not wanting to lose an ounce of edge, he added, 'It's all about energy. We want to give people energy, delivering it every second, from the moment we open the gates at two o'clock until the last fan leaves at 11.' While gates opened at 2 p.m., fans began arriving as early as 11 a.m. — clamoring for a shot at Banana-themed merchandise, many leaving the team tents with bags in both hands. In the parking lot, two young boys passed the time playing catch, gloves in hand. Advertisement As the afternoon wore on and the temperature climbed to 91 degrees, crowds trudged through the heat, some seeking refuge beneath the oversized Angels helmets at the stadium entrance, all for a chance to meet their favorite Banana Ballers. At the pregame plaza party, fans collected autographs, posed for photos and presented handmade gifts to players. Savannah Bananas mascot Split marches through the crowd before the team's game against the Firefighters at Angel Stadium Friday. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) When the gates opened, the LaCaze family pointed out their 9-year-old daughter's favorite player, David 'DR' Meadows. Decked out in her signed Meadows jersey, Carrigan LaCaze ran into his arms, with glove and oversized baseball clutched tightly and began speaking with him as if they were old friends. 'I ran to DR, and we started hugging and just started talking for a while because I missed him,' Carrigan LaCaze said. 'Tomorrow is actually one year on the dot since I met him.' Advertisement A Christmas road trip planned around the holidays, the family of four traveled across three states from their home in Alexandria, La., to Anaheim for two reasons: to visit Disneyland and see the Bananas. It was their second game — the family first saw the Bananas in the club's hometown of Savannah, Ga., when Carrigan, who is battling cystic fibrosis, was granted a Make-A-Wish experience so meaningful it was a no-brainer to relive it. 'It's great,' her father, Pierre LaCaze, said of the player interactions. 'We've gotten to keep track with some of them during the course of the year. We come back, we see them again. You know they're truly about the fans.' Rainer Easton, 11, tries to catch a yellow "Banana Ball" from the stands before the Savannah Bananas take on the Firefighters at Angel Stadium on Friday. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) The Bananas don't sell tickets. They sell connections, moments and memories. Advertisement For Cole, meetings are a constant brainstorming session on how to keep fans engaged and interacting. That's how he measures success. He says when the focus shifts to transactions, the game begins to lose its meaning. 'Our success is not judged by revenue,' Cole said. 'It's not judged by sales. It's judged by the moments we create.' But the numbers don't lie. The last time the Bananas came to Southern California, they played in front of 5,000 fans at LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga in 2023 — a far cry from now selling out 18 major league ballparks and three football stadiums with capacities over 70,000. Fans fill the stands as the Savannah Bananas take on the Firefighters in front of a sold out crowd Friday at Angel Stadium. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Attendance has soared year after year. Last season, the Bananas drew one million fans. This year, that number is expected to double, with more than three million people on the waitlist for their ticket lottery. Every game since February has sold out and every date in June and July is as well. Advertisement Michael and Melinda Schulteis, a husband and wife from Mission Viejo, were there the last time the Bananas came to town. When they heard the team was returning, they knew they couldn't miss it. 'The intimate atmosphere at the last event was great,' Melinda Schulteis said. 'But I'm curious, because they do such a good job putting on events, what touches are they going to add to still keep it close and intimate and give us another great experience?' Read more: What is Banana Ball? Here are the Savannah Banana rules of the game As the Bananas' success and reach have grown, spilling out from cozy minor league parks into stadiums not built for intimacy, the games still feel like family gatherings. Whether serenading players with stadium anthems like Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' or the waving of phone lights to Coldplay's 'Yellow,' the crowd moves in sync, no matter the tune. Advertisement While they're a privately owned team and don't disclose revenue figures, they've confirmed generating millions. Much like their box office appeal, their social media reach extends into the millions as well. The Savannah Bananas perform a kick line before taking on the Firefighters at Angel Stadium on Friday. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Their antics — choreographed dances, lip-synced walk-ups, backflip outfield catches — have attracted nearly 10 million followers on TikTok, almost double the combined total of the Dodgers and Angels. That viral mastery, and the parasocial bonds it fosters, is part of what makes every game feel tight-knit. With his glove by his side, hoping to catch a foul ball for an out — one of the many offbeat rules of Banana Ball — Michael Schulties was disappointed he missed his favorite player, RobertAnthony Cruz, whom he first discovered on social media through his baseball coaching channel, better known as 'Coach RAC.' Advertisement Cruz, who drew the longest meet-and-greet line, is a former minor leaguer in the Nationals' farm system and a local — born just an hour away in Fontana. The game was a homecoming for Cruz, who joined the Bananas in 2023. With more than 70 family members and friends in attendance — and even more social media direct messages asking for tickets — playing in big league stadiums has become a dream come true, especially for a former minor leaguer whose baseball ambitions nearly died when he never got the call to the show. Savannah Bananas pitcher Correlle Prime delivers at Angel Stadium on Friday. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Behind all the gimmicks, wackiness and absurdity, the roster is still filled with ballplayers — many of them with unrealized MLB dreams — now finding a second life through Banana Ball. And for Cruz, it's the happiest he's ever been in the sport. Advertisement 'I never would have imagined playing in this capacity,' Cruz said. 'Banana Ball didn't even exist when I was pursuing my dream of professional baseball. To be here, to see a sold-out crowd at a stadium that I went to growing up all the time, it's very special.' As the team travels the nation, sold-out crowds and newfound stardom have become the norm for Cruz. 'I'm not surprised by anything anymore,' Cruz said. 'If you told me that we're playing on the moon next year, I'd be like, 'All right, cool. Let me know when and where, and I'll be there' … I wouldn't be surprised if this thing continues to grow at an unprecedented rate.' Read more: It's time for Banana Ball! The story of the Savannah Bananas Advertisement Despite their growing success, the Bananas' brand of baseball remains polarizing — an easy target for detractors of zaniness, gatekeepers of fun and opponents of pizzazz who either don't understand it or refuse to see its appeal. 'Anybody that criticizes this, we're not for them,' Cole said. 'There's tradition in baseball, perfect. They've got Major League Baseball. … For people that want to come out and have fun, not take themselves too seriously and see something they've never seen before — and hopefully see the greatest show in sports — we built something for you.' The formula works. And again, the numbers don't lie. The Savannah Bananas' Jackson Olson celebrates a Troy Glaus base hit while the Bananas take on the Firefighters at Angel Stadium on Friday. Comedian Bert Kreischer celebrated behind the Bananas in the dugout. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Yes, the Savannah Bananas' brand of baseball is far too outlandish ever to be compared to the major leagues — from flaming baseballs, rump-shaking umps and dress rehearsals. That's the point. It all feels like something conjured from the wildest dreams of the late Bill Veeck's imagination found a home, in a good way. Advertisement With many of the Banana Ball's 11 rules — like an automatic strike when hitters step out of the box or ejecting bunting hitters because bunting 'sucks' — are grounded in some sports-based logic, the innovations remain sacrilegious to baseball purists. But for a fleeting moment in December, Major League Baseball and Banana Ball were almost linked. In Banana Ball, the Golden Batter rule allows teams, once per game, to send their best hitter to the plate regardless of where they fall in the batting order. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred caused a stir when he floated a potential seismic rule by floating, making an offhand comment about the golden batter rule. Manfred later clarified it was merely 'a very preliminary conversation' among members of the league's competition committee and had not been formally discussed by the full ownership group. Advertisement A far-fetched idea, but Manfred has ushered in sweeping changes, from the widely praised pitch clock to the more contentious extra-inning 'ghost runner.' 'Anything that's best for the fans, I'm all in,' Cole said of its potential. 'I know Major League Baseball won't do it because of traditions, but ... we've had a lot of fun doing it.' The Firefighters run on the field before taking on the Savannah Bananas at Angel Stadium on Friday. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) But MLB would be behind the Bananas, who already introduced their version of the rule last season with a typical flair and showmanship. Their spin on it is a batter summoned from the dugout wearing a James Brown-esque cape and a gleaming golden helmet — an honor that went to Joe Lytle, who came to bat in the top of the ninth for the Bananas' Anaheim opponent, the Firefighters. Advertisement Ultimately, in a game where the score isn't the end-all, be-all — but the fun is — the Bananas beat the Firefighters 5–2. Like any other Bananas game, the festivities took center stage. It began with the 'First Peel,' a signature ceremony in which a young fan bites into a banana to declare whether it's good or bad — setting the tone for the night. Read more: How do the Savannah Bananas draw sold-out crowds? Five fun facts about the team Heisman Trophy winner and USC legend Matt Leinart threw out the ceremonial first spiral (because, of course, he did). And in true fashion, Angels World Series MVP Troy Glaus made a surprise cameo as a pinch hitter. Advertisement But what was more important was the trip to Anaheim, a fitting one for Cole and Co. The team that opened its season lip-syncing 'Be Our Guest' from the Disney classic 'Beauty and the Beast' — and its owner, cut from the same theatrical cloth as Disney — were celebrated a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth — Disneyland. Savannah Bananas founder and owner Jesse Cole provides color commentary during the baby race between innings at Angel Stadium on Friday. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Greeted by fans in yellow gear, Cole's creation — the Bananas — marched in step down Main Street U.S.A., alongside Walt's own — Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck. 'When I walked underneath the castle and over the bridge and in front of thousands of people, they were all there for us,' Cole said. 'Then I look and see Walt's statue, holding the hand of Mickey, and I see that and I'm like, 'This is special.'' Advertisement It was a full-circle moment for Cole, who became 'immersed in the magic' after his first trip to Disney World as a kid — and who now says, 'In a perfect world, I'd play catch with Walt on Main Street.' Serendipity. 'For me, that was an emotional moment — to know that we have worked so hard to create something that means something to people, that they come from all over the country just for a chance to see us,' Cole added. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Morton leads Orioles to first sweep of 2025 season
The Baltimore Orioles secured their first sweep of the 2025 season Sunday, defeating the Chicago White Sox 3-2 at Camden Yards and winning their third consecutive game for the second time this season. Starting pitcher Charlie Morton was the standout performer, continuing his recent turnaround after a difficult start to the season. Morton pitched 6 2/3 innings, striking out 7 and allowing 6 hits to earn his second straight win.
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Yankees hope Jazz Chisholm Jr. strengthens third base
Yankees hope Jazz Chisholm Jr. strengthens third base originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Jazz Chisholm Jr. wrapped up his minor league rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on Sunday, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout as the designated hitter. In all, Chisholm played in three rehab games and is expected to be activated off the injured list before the Yankees begin a three-game series with the Cleveland Guardians at the Stadium. Advertisement Chisholm will return to a different team than the one he left. In his absence, Oswaldo Cabrera fractured his ankle and DJ LeMahieu got healthy and came off the injured list. So, Chisholm will return to play third base, not second like he was playing before he strained his oblique muscle on April 30. New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13).David Richard-Imagn Images In 30 games this season, Chisholm has posted a .181 batting average with 19 hits, seven home runs, 17 RBIs, and six stolen bases. Despite the low average, his power and speed have been contributing significantly to the Yankees' offense Manager Aaron Boone announced earlier this week that Chisholm is expected to be activated as early as Tuesday and will take over at third base. Advertisement This move comes after Cabrera's season-ending injury and LeMahieu's return to second base. The Yankees are hoping that making LeMahieu comfortable at second base might help him get back some of his stroke from his two batting champion seasons. Or that it might be easier for the Yankees to find a second baseman on the trade market. Chisholm's versatility allows the Yankees to make those adjustments. He had learned to play third on the fly last season after the Yankees acquired him at the trade deadline. His move could help the Yankees at this year's deadline. While Chisholm's rehab stint was brief, the Yankees hope his energy can help them rebound after a brutal weekend in Los Angeles. Related: Jazz Chisholm Jr. Shuts Down Yankees Drama After First Rehab Game Related: Yankees Make a Surprising Roster Move Before Dodgers Series Finale This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
