NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees showcased their power-hitting prowess Monday night, defeating the Kansas City Royals 4-1 at Yankee Stadium in a game that saw the Bombers hit four home runs, including three in a single inning. This was the first matchup between the two teams since their intense American League Division Series last October, where the Yankees triumphed in four games.
Trent Grisham, Ben Rice, and Austin Wells each launched solo home runs in the fifth inning, while Jazz Chisholm Jr. tied the game in the fourth with his sixth homer of the season. The Yankees’ offensive display came against Royals starter Seth Lugo, who struggled to contain the left-handed hitters, allowing all four home runs to come off his pitches.
"I thought I threw the ball alright," Lugo said, reflecting on his performance. "I made a couple mistakes and they didn’t miss them. It’s one of those games where those little mistakes cost us big-time." Lugo exited after 6 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits and four earned runs while striking out four.
The Yankees’ victory was crucial as they had lost five of their previous seven games and were looking to regain momentum. Their record now stands at 9-7, while the Royals dropped to 8-9. Bobby Witt Jr. provided the Royals with their only run, hitting a solo home run in the third inning after a grueling 10-pitch at-bat against Yankees starter Carlos Carrasco.
Carrasco, who improved to 2-1 on the season, allowed just one hit and one earned run over five innings. He walked two batters but managed to keep the Royals off balance, striking out four. "Everything we did before the game was working," Carrasco commented. "I just went one pitch at a time and was able to get out of the inning." His effective performance was supported by a strong relief effort from Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, Luke Weaver, and Devin Williams, who collectively limited Kansas City to only one hit over the final four frames.
The Yankees’ offensive strategy was clear: capitalize on Lugo’s mistakes. Chisholm noted, "We went up there with a plan of attack to get your pitch early. He throws eight or nine pitches, but get your pitch early and attack it." This approach paid off as the Yankees hit their 32nd home run of the season through just 16 games.
Despite the loss, Royals manager Matt Quatraro remains optimistic about his team's potential. "I know what we are capable of doing and I know what we can do. It’s just a matter of time," said Witt, expressing confidence in the team's ability to improve their offensive output.
In addition to the offensive highlights, the game featured solid defensive plays, particularly from Yankees left fielder Jasson Domínguez, who made a leaping catch to rob Salvador Perez of extra bases. Domínguez’s defensive improvements have been a bright spot for the Yankees this season, as he continues to develop his skills in the outfield.
The Royals had opportunities to score early, particularly in the first inning when Carrasco walked two batters. However, they were unable to capitalize, with Salvador Perez striking out and Michael Massey flying out to end the inning. "We had a couple walks in the first that we weren’t able to capitalize on," Quatraro lamented. "It’s not going to be 10-12 hits every night. But we need to do a better job of stringing some bigger innings together."
As the series continues, the Royals will look to bounce back in the second game, with right-hander Michael Wacha taking the mound against Yankees left-hander Max Fried. Wacha, who is currently 0-2 with a 4.20 ERA, will need to find his rhythm against a Yankees lineup that has shown it can explode at any moment.
Looking ahead, the Royals are hoping to get some reinforcements soon. Outfielder Mark Canha is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment after dealing with a left-abductor strain, while left-handed reliever Sam Long is recovering from elbow inflammation and will start throwing again after a brief rest period.
The Yankees, on the other hand, will aim to build on their momentum from this game as they pursue a strong position in the standings. With their ability to hit home runs in bunches, they are a formidable opponent for any team in the league.
As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to establish their identities and improve their performances. For the Yankees, it’s about maintaining their power-hitting success, while for the Royals, it’s about finding consistency and capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
