Yankees Avoid the Sweep With a 2-1 Win Over Cleveland
So close to a Bronx sweep, Guards fans. So close.
Ryan McMahon hit a go-ahead single in the seventh inning, Carlos Rodón combined with three relievers on a two-hitter, and the New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 Thursday to salvage the finale of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. Cleveland still takes the series two games to one after dominant wins of 9-4 and 5-4 earlier in the week.
Key Stats
- Final Score: Yankees 2, Guardians 1
- Guardians Record: 36-28, 19-14 away
- WP: B. Headrick (4-1) | LP: C. Heuer (0-1) | SV: David Bednar — 13th save in 15 chances
- Slade Cecconi: Allowed one run and four hits in six innings (82 pitches, 53 strikes)
- Carlos Rodón: Allowed one run and two hits in six innings with seven strikeouts and three walks
- Stuart Fairchild: Hit an RBI single in the fourth — Cleveland’s lone run
- José Ramírez: Stole his 22nd base of the season
How It Happened
Cecconi delivered one of his best outings of the season, but Rodón was simply better. The Guards scratched across their only run in the fourth when J-Ram led off with a single and a stolen base, jumpstarting a rally that saw Stuart Fairchild deliver an RBI single with two outs. That 1-0 lead felt fragile — and it was.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a tying sacrifice fly in the fourth and started the seventh-inning rally with a one-out walk from Codi Heuer. Chisholm stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch during consecutive pitches, then scored on McMahon’s single. The bullpen coughed up the lead in a sequence that stung.
The Bigger Picture
Don’t hang your heads, Cleveland. The Guardians improved to a major league-best 10-1 on the road since May 6 and have won 15 of 20 overall. Taking two of three at Yankee Stadium — without getting the sweep — is still an excellent road trip against an AL contender. The series record sits at a dominant 9-4 Cleveland over New York this season.
Up Next
RHP Parker Messick (6-1, 2.21 ERA) opposes RHP Kumar Rocker (2-5, 3.54) in the opener of a three-game series at Texas on Friday. Messick has been one of the best arms in the American League — time to keep rolling.
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