The Yankees were getting no-hit through seven innings and trailed 5-0, but then everything flipped in the eighth. They scratched across three runs and found themselves with runners on base in a tight spot. With Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger on the bases, something odd started happening. Bellinger, on first, was clearly peeking into the pitcher’s glove and signaling to Grisham what was coming. A raised arm meant a slider. No arm, it’s a fastball. It wasn’t subtle. They weren’t hiding it. And the Mariners weren’t adjusting. The Yankees were tipping pitches to each other right out in the open.
Ben Rice drew a critical walk after laying off sliders and fastballs he seemed to know were coming. The Yankees tied the game thanks to a two-run single that followed, though Rice missed a chance to go first to third because he was busy signaling himself. The Mariners’ catcher Cal Raleigh noticed the signs were getting read and passed but didn’t have an answer. Frustration showed on his face as the Yankees kept taking pitches with confidence, clearly knowing what was coming.
In extra innings, Aaron Judge hit a deep fly that let Anthony Volpe tag from third. The throw beat him, but Volpe slid around the tag to score the game-winning run. The Yankees came back from five down, and they did it in large part thanks to picking up the other team’s signs and sharing them in real time. Not cheating, just smart baseball.