Following Friday night’s rainout, the well-rested New York Yankees delivered a commanding performance against the Texas Rangers on Saturday afternoon. In the first game of the straight doubleheader, they secured a smooth 8-0 victory at Yankee Stadium. The game was a masterclass in blending powerful hitting, effective pitching, and solid defense, allowing New York to control the game from the outset and never look back.
Aaron Judge and Juan Soto set the tone early in the first inning with back-to-back singles. Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi nearly escaped the early one-out jam by striking out Austin Wells, but Gleyber Torres didn’t let the inning die. An opposite-field RBI knock put the Yankees on the board, driving in Soto to give the Yankees an early 1-0 lead.
The good vibes continued into the third inning, where Wells stepped up to the plate with runners on base, hoping to atone for his early K. Indeed, the young catcher extended the lead with a two-run double that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Wells’ ability to drive in runs has been a significant asset for the Yankees, especially since they needed someone beyond Soto and Judge stepping up to the task in the heat of the playoff race. With a comfortable 3-0 advantage, the Yankees were firmly in control, but they weren’t done yet.
The fourth inning saw the Yankees’ offense continue to apply pressure. Judge and Alex Verdugo each contributed hits, setting the stage for Wells once more. This time, the former first-round pick drove in two with a sharp single to center field, pushing the Yankees’ lead to 6-0. Wells’ performance in this game was a clear indication of his growth as a hitter and his potential to be a cornerstone for the Yankees’ future success.
On the mound, lefty Carlos Rodón delivered a stellar performance. Rodón, who has recently overcome a tough stretch in early summer to once again become a reliable arm, skillfully navigated through the Rangers’ lineup, showcasing his ability to handle high-leverage situations. In the second inning, Rodón faced a bases-loaded jam but managed to escape without surrendering any runs. His composure and execution were key in maintaining the Yankees’ early lead. As the game progressed, Rodón continued to dominate, preventing the Rangers from mounting any significant offensive threat.
Although Rodón walked five, he only allowed three hits, and fanned six while throwing 110 pitches across 5.2 pristine innings of work. It all translated to his 13th victory of the season.
The Yankees’ bullpen, anchored by designated “27th man” Ron Marinaccio, took over in the later innings and preserved the shutout. He’ll only be up for the day due to the doubleheader rules, but his 2.1 innings of one-hit ball will not go unnoticed as New York attempts to take two. Marinaccio and veteran Tim Hill kept the Rangers off the board, ensuring that the Yankees’ lead remained insurmountable.
In the seventh inning, Oswaldo Cabrera’s double provided another spark for the Yankees’ offense. The versatile 25-year-old has been heating up of late and he came through once again, setting the stage for Juan Soto’s RBI forceout. The run pushed the Yankees’ lead to 7-0, and the team wasn’t finished yet.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. capped off the Yankees’ offensive display with a solo home run to center field in the eighth inning, making it 8-0.
Chisholm’s long ball was his 19th of the season, a testament to his power and impact in the lineup. The bottom of the eighth inning also saw Wells go down on strikes and Torres pop up, but Chisholm’s towering shot electrified the crowd and further solidified the Yankees’ dominance in the game.
Judge, Wells, and Chisholm were the standout performers in this game, with Wells tying a career-high by driving in four of the Yankees’ eight runs. Judge’s consistent presence on base, coupled with his timely hits, set the stage for a well-rounded team effort that left the Rangers struggling to find answers. This win was crucial for the Yankees as they continue their pursuit of a playoff spot in the competitive AL East. The one negative to note is that outfielder Trent Grisham left the game a little while after getting hit on the hand. It doesn’t sound like it will require an IL stint though, as X-rays were negative, and he was diagnosed with a left hand contusion.
With strong contributions from both seasoned veterans and emerging talents, the Yankees are poised for a strong push as the season progresses. The Yankees will look to continue this momentum in the second game of today’s twin bill against Texas at 4:40pm ET. Ace Gerrit Cole gets the ball against southpaw Cody Bradford. Tune in with us and see if they can secure the doubleheader sweep!
