New York Yankees 8-0 Texas Rangers
Following a disappointing series against the Los Angeles Angels, the New York Yankees bounced back with an 8-0 victory over the Texas Rangers in the first game of their doubleheader. Good pitching and a solid offensive performance secured the victory in the Yankee Stadium.
Rookie catcher Austin Wells scored four runs, going 2-for-5, while Aaron Judge reached base four times. Jazz Chisholm Jr. added a homer, his sixth with the Yankees. However, it was Carlos Rodon who stole the show, leading the Bronx Bombers to a convincing home win.
How it happened
Carlos Rodon pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings and the New York Yankees secured an 8-0 victory over the Texas Rangers in the opener of a doubleheader Saturday at Yankee Stadium. The left-hander, who had struggled after a strong start to the season, earned his fourth win in five starts, allowing just three hits and striking out six.
Rodón’s performance was bolstered by a strong offensive showing, especially from rookie catcher Austin Wells, who scored four runs. Wells continued his impressive form, going 2-for-5 with a double, while Aaron Judge reached base four times with three hits and a walk, raising his average to .325. The Yankees outscored the Rangers 12-5, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. added a solo homer in the eighth inning to close out the scoring.
Despite issuing five walks, Rodón showed resilience, weathering problems and getting out of several jams. He set the tone early with a perfect 13-pitch first inning and managed to keep the Rangers off the scoreboard, stranding seven runners over the course of his outing. Rodón’s recent run of success has been vital for the Yankees, who are trying to regain their early-season form.
The Yankees (69-48) got an early hit on Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi, who lasted just three innings. Juan Soto led off with a one-out single in the first, extending his on-base streak to 102 games from 113 this season. Judge followed with a single and, after Wells pitched out, Gleyber Torres lined a two-RBI single to right, giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead.
The Rangers (54-62) threatened in the second inning by loading the bases with two outs, but Rodón came out unscathed, getting Jonah Heim to fly out softly to left. The Yankees extended their lead in the third, when Soto walked and Judge singled, setting up Wells for a two-run double to center that made it 3-0.
Rodón faced more trouble in the fourth but again fought his way out of it, striking out Josh Smith to end the inning after issuing two walks. The Yankees broke the game open in the bottom half of the inning. Trent Grisham was hit by a pitch and later replaced in center field due to a right hand bruise. Alex Verdugo singled, and after Soto struck out, Judge scored another run with a double. Wells followed with a two-run single, increasing the lead to 6-0.
Soto added another run with an RBI in the fifth, and Chisholm’s solo homer in the eighth pushed the Yankees’ lead to 8-0. Ron Marinaccio, called up as the Yankees’ 27th man for the doubleheader, closed out the game with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, striking out three to secure the shutout.
Following
The Yankees will try to sweep the doubleheader, which will see Gerrit Cole face Cody Bradford. A sweep would be a huge boost for the Yankees on their path to the postseason.