Bronx, NY – The New York Yankees avenged their American League Division Series victory from last October with a 4-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night. A decisive fifth inning saw three Yankees – Trent Grisham, Ben Rice, and Austin Wells – each launch solo home runs off Royals’ All-Star pitcher Seth Lugo.
The Royals had initially taken the lead in the third inning when Bobby Witt Jr. connected for a solo home run off Yankees starter Carlos Carrasco on the tenth pitch of his at-bat. Kansas City’s lead was short-lived, however, as Jazz Chisholm Jr. answered in the top of the fourth with his sixth homer of the season, tying the score at 1-1.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the bottom of the fifth. Grisham led off the inning with his fourth homer of the year. He was quickly followed by Rice and Wells, who also went deep off Lugo, giving the Yankees a 4-1 advantage they would not relinquish. Notably, all four of the Yankees’ home runs were hit by left-handed batters.
Carrasco (2-1) pitched effectively for the Yankees, allowing just one hit over five innings. The bullpen then shut down the Royals’ offense, with Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, and Luke Weaver each contributing scoreless innings. Closer Devin Williams allowed a leadoff single to Witt Jr. and a one-out walk in the ninth but managed to secure his second save by retiring Maikel Garcia on a game-ending flyout. The strong pitching performance was a welcome sign for the Yankees, whose starters entered the game with a 5.40 ERA.
Lugo (1-2), who surrendered 16 home runs in 33 starts last season, allowed seven hits in his 6 2/3 innings of work. This was only the second time in his career he had allowed more than two home runs in a single game.
The Royals (8-9) debuted their new powder blue-and-white caps and helmets, paired with their powder blue uniforms.
In other news, Royals designated hitter Jonathan India returned to the lineup after missing a game due to right quadriceps tightness, going 0-for-3 with a walk. First baseman Mark Canha is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday due to a left abductor strain. Left-handed pitcher Sam Long has been diagnosed with elbow inflammation and will refrain from throwing for five days before beginning a five-day ramp-up period.
The Yankees (9-7), who had lost five of their previous seven games, will look to secure the series victory as they face the Royals in the second game of their three-game set on Tuesday in New York. Michael Wacha (0-2, 4.20 ERA) is scheduled to start for Kansas City, while Max Fried (2-0, 1.56 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees. Pregame coverage will begin at 5:30 PM on SuperStar Country 102.5 FM & 1530 AM, with the first pitch from Yankee Stadium slated for 6:05 PM CDT.
