The Yankees secured the series sweep over the Kansas City Royals with a 1-0 win on Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium.
Here are some takeaways…
– With Aaron Judge receiving his first day off of the season, the Yankees’ offense wasn’t able to get much of anything going against Royals right-hander Seth Lugo — managing just two walks and a hit while striking out twice over the first five innings.
New York finally started a bit of a rally in the sixth when Trent Grisham lined a single and Paul Goldschmidt drew a two-out walk — but after a pitching change and a 28-minute rain delay, Kyle Isbel ranged into the left-center gap and made a terrific catch to rob Cody Bellinger of extra-bases.
– Fortunately for the Bombers, Will Warren was up for the task of matching Lugo. The rookie right-hander worked around back-to-back singles leading off the second and then a one-out triple in the fifth as he cruised through the first five innings as well.
Warren came back out of the sixth despite sitting through the delay, but Aaron Boone pulled him out a man on and the red-hot Vinnie Pasquantino coming to the plate. Tim Hill entered and got him to easily ground out — closing the youngster’s final line at four hits and a walk over 5.2 shutout innings.
It was a much-needed, efficient outing for Warren after he issued four free passes in back-to-back starts.
– Hill was helped out by some strong defense in the seventh — first Anthony Volpe ranged to his right and unleashed a throw from deep in the hole to gun down Salvador Perez at first, then Pablo Reyes came charging in from second and shoveled to first with a glove flip to erase Jac Caglianone with the second out.
– The Yanks were finally able to break the tie during the next half-inning, as Goldschmidt lined one off the first baseman’s glove and Reyes came in to score on an error by the catcher after stumbling down the line.
– Jonathan Loáisiga delivered a scoreless eighth then Devin Williams closed the door in the ninth to secure the three-game series sweep and shutout victory — it was New York’s league-best fourth 1-0 win of the season.
– Judge came off the bench and pinch-hit with a man on and nobody out in the top of the eighth, but he was punched out on strikes on a questionable call at the bottom of the zone.
– J.C. Escarra received the start behind the plate and enjoyed himself a strong showing — singling to lead off the third and then cracking a two-out double to right-center in the ninth.
Game MVP: Pablo Reyes
Reyes made a nice play in the field and scored the game’s lone run on a wacky play.
Highlights
WHAT A PLAY BY ANTHONY VOLPE! pic.twitter.com/xjkqdZ9erW
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) June 13, 2025
PABLO REYES COMES HOME WITH THE FIRST RUN!
CHAOS IN KANSAS CITY! pic.twitter.com/lKrZjjuJ0G
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) June 13, 2025
What’s next
The Yanks ship up to Boston for a three-game weekend set with the Red Sox.
Ryan Yarbrough (3-1, 4.17 ERA) takes the mound against Garrett Crochet (6-4, 2.35 ERA) at 7:10 p.m.
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