Aaron Judge And Juan Soto scored five of the Yankees’ eight runs as New York defeated the Angels 8-3 on Thursday night in Los Angeles.
Here are the takeaways…
-Last season, Carlos Rodon infamously blew a kiss to the crowd after a terrible outing, his last time in Anaheim. This season was a completely different story. The left-handed Yankees threw six strong innings and gave the rotation another great performance.
Through the first six innings, the only blemish was a solo shot Logan O’Hoppewhich was also allowed Luis Gil in Wednesday’s game, in the second inning, putting the Angels up 1-0. All ten home runs Rodon has given up this season have been of the solo variety.
After the homer, Rodon retired 14 in a row before running into trouble in the seventh inning when he walked a batter and gave up back-to-back hits, allowing the Angels to get to within 7-2 before being retired. The Yankees’ bullpen allowed another of Rodon’s runners to score once the left-hander’s night was over.
Rodon threw 6+ IP (87 pitches/58 strikes), giving up three runs on three hits, one walk and five strikeouts. He is the first Yankees starter since then Nestor Cortes (May 11) to allow three-plus runs.
-In support of Rodon, the Yankees’ big hitters helped get the scoring going. Judge hit a two-run shot with Soto on base to give the Yankees their first hit and runs of the game in the fourth inning.
It was a close game as Angels entered the seventh inning Adam Cimber had trouble locating his places. He gave up a hit and walked four batters, including two with the bases loaded, increasing the Yankees’ lead to 4-1.
After Cimber was eliminated, Soto greeted the next Angels pitcher with a bases-clearing triple, putting the Yankees ahead by a wide margin, 7-1.
Jose Trevino hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth to extend the Yankees’ lead to 8–3. Anthony Volpe finished 0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored, ending his 21-game hitting streak.
–Ian Hamilton, making his first appearance since May 17 after being placed on the COVID IL, gave up a walk but struck out two batters in relief of Rodon. Hamilton’s combination Caleb Ferguson, Tommy Kahnle And Michael Tonkin got the last nine outs.
Game MVP: Aaron Judge and Juan Soto
Judge’s two-run shot gave Rodon and the Yankees an early lead, and Soto’s triple put the team comfortably ahead.
Highlights
What’s next
the Yankees head to San Francisco on Friday to start a three-game series with the Giants. The first pitch is scheduled for 10:15 p.m
Marcus Stroman (4-2, 2.76 ERA) will be on the mound and will be opposed Jordan Hicks (4-1, 2.33 ERA).
