Yankees Try to Rally Momentum Heading Into June

During their last series against the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees won the final two games of the three-game series with a huge 13-1 blowout victory and a close 5-4 win on Sunday. Monday, the Bronx Bombers started a three game series in Los Angeles against the Angels. Going into the series at 32-20 and a five-and-a-half game first-place lead in the AL East, the Yankees looked to try and keep momentum in their favor as we head closer to June. The Angels lost the last two games in their three-game series against the Miami Marlins, dropping two games under .500 at 25-27.

Leading off the bottom of the first inning, Angels shortstop Zach Neto cranked a home run into center field to give Los Angeles an early lead. A few innings later, at the top of the fourth with runners at first and second, Aaron Judge hit a single to load up the bases. Cody Bellinger was able to bring home an RBI after being walked. Then, Anthony Volpe cleared the bases when he knocked a double into center field, giving the Yankees a 4-1 lead. That double by Volpe swung all the momentum in the Yankees’ favor. The game would stay at 4-1 until the top of the eighth when Austin Wells hit a sacrifice fly to left field. While the Angels had last-licks, they extended the game with a runners at the corner situation and a chance to score. However, Luke Weaver was able to help secure the final out and the win at 5-1 Yankees victory for the first game of this series.

Yankees starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough pitched six innings, allowing one run on two hits, a walk, and striking out seven in the win. Angels starter, Jack Kochanowicz, pitched six and two-thirds innings, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five. Seven Angels batters went hitless in the loss. Volpe was the clear Player of the Game with his three clutch RBIs coming in to give the Yankees a favorable lead and the momentum. For Tuesday’s matchup, Carlos Rodón will take the mound for the Bronx Bombers, and Ty Anderson for Los Angeles. Rodón is looking to pick up his seventh win of the year and continue his push towards another 100+ strikeout season. With his arsenal of pitches, the 32-year-old will look to be a bulldog on the mound.