Yankees' Precision Game Plan Seals 6-2 Victory Over Pirates

New York's patience, plate discipline, and timely contact lead to win over Pittsburgh

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The New York Yankees beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2 on Sunday in a Grapefruit League game that showcased the Yankees' depth and development. The Yankees drew 11 walks, chased top Pirates prospect Bubba Chandler early, and got strong pitching performances from Ryan Yarbrough, Paul Blackburn, and top pitching prospect Ben Hess.

Why it matters

The win highlighted the Yankees' ability to win with patience and contact rather than power, a valuable skill for a team that can go cold at the plate at times. It also provided a glimpse into the team's pitching depth, with Yarbrough, Blackburn, and Hess all impressing in their outings.

The details

The Yankees fell behind 1-0 in the first inning but Ryan Yarbrough settled in and struck out four over two innings. Paul Blackburn followed with two scoreless frames, working out of trouble. Highly touted pitching prospect Ben Hess made his spring debut, striking out five over three innings before running into trouble in the eighth. The Yankees' offense did most of its damage in the second inning, drawing four walks to chase Chandler and then getting a two-run single from Ben Rice and a bases-clearing double from Jasson Dominguez to take a 4-1 lead.

  • The game took place on Sunday, February 23, 2026 at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida.

The players

Ryan Yarbrough

A veteran left-handed pitcher signed by the Yankees as rotation depth.

Paul Blackburn

A right-handed pitcher who followed Yarbrough with two scoreless innings.

Ben Hess

The Yankees' 2024 first-round draft pick, a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher who made his spring training debut and struck out five over three innings.

Ben Rice

A Yankees outfielder who had two hits, two RBIs, and a walk in the game.

Jasson Dominguez

A highly touted Yankees outfield prospect who hit a bases-clearing double in the second inning.

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What they’re saying

“Ben Hess looked sharp today: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. NYY's 1st pick in 2024 figures to start 2026 in Double A.”

— The Yankee Report (Twitter)

What’s next

The Yankees will continue their Grapefruit League schedule, with their next game scheduled for Tuesday, February 25th against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The takeaway

The Yankees' win over the Pirates showcased the team's depth and development, with strong pitching performances from Yarbrough, Blackburn, and Hess, and timely hitting from players like Rice and Dominguez. This type of balanced, patient approach could be valuable for the Yankees as they look to return to the playoffs in 2026.