Bronx, NY — Ryan McMahon emerged from a prolonged slump in spectacular fashion, hitting a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning to propel the New York Yankees to a 4-2 victory over the struggling Kansas City Royals on Friday night.
In addition to McMahon’s impressive contribution, Ben Rice also delivered a two-run homer, helping the Yankees secure their ninth consecutive win against Kansas City, including victories from a playoff series two years ago. Overall, New York boasts a commanding 15-3 record against the Royals since the beginning of 2024.
The Royals managed to tie the game in the eighth inning when Vinnie Pasquantino hit a solo homer, driving in both runs for the team. Kansas City, now sitting at 7-13, has suffered five consecutive losses and eight in their last ten games, with four of those defeats coming by a single run.
On the pitching front, Michael Wacha provided the Yankees with a solid six-inning performance, highlighting the matchup between two early-season pitching standout.
With the game locked at 2-2, Rice, who hit a single off reliever Alex Lange (0-1) with two outs, set the stage for McMahon. Entering the game as a defensive substitute at third base, McMahon capitalized on a 2-1 changeup, sending it 372 feet to left field, aided by a gust of wind that carried it over the fence.
This marked McMahon’s first extra-base hit of the season, as he started the night with a disappointing batting average of .119 (5 for 42) and only two RBIs. Manager Aaron Boone had opted for Amed Rosario, a right-handed hitter, in the starting lineup instead.
David Bednar closed out the game for the Yankees, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to earn his sixth save of the season.
Pasquantino’s earlier homer came on a 97 mph sinker from reliever Camilo Doval (1-0) with two outs in the eighth, marking his second homer of the season in just two days.
Cody Bellinger kickstarted the Yankees’ scoring in the fourth inning with a single, and shortly after, Rice lined a 1-1 pitch into the right-field stands for a homer, becoming the first player to connect against Wacha’s changeup this season after opponents had been 0 for 19.
Looking Ahead
The series continues on Saturday afternoon as the Royals’ left-handed pitcher Noah Cameron (1-0, 3.94 ERA) faces off against the Yankees’ right-handed pitcher Will Warren (1-0, 2.45 ERA).
