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Yankees Capture First Series Sweep Since May 21 Against the Royals

New York Yankees, Baseball, Professional

A day that many Yankees fans thought would never come has finally arrived for the boys in the Bronx. The Yankees, finally back home, were able to pull off a 3-0 series against the Royals for their first sweep since the Cincinnati series back in May. 

A lot of doubt had been cast on the Yanks after they dropped two series straight, losing two-out-of-three against the Colorado Rockies and getting swept by the Los Angeles Angels to start the second half of the season. 

However, the Bronx Bombers weren’t ready to give up as they brought their bats out for all three games of the series against the Kansas City Royals.

An injury to Trevino provided an opportunity for catcher Ben Rortvedt as he was called up from Triple-A. A must win series for the Yankees showed their true colors as they were able to capitalize at the plate when desperately needed and their pitching provided them a bit of a buffer. 

Can the Yankees keep this winning streak going, or will they cave into the team many think they are?

Game 1 Recap

Clarke Schmidt (5-6) took the mound for the Yankees for the first game of the Royals series against Kansas City’s Alec Marsh (0-3). 

First Inning

Clarke Schmidt looked sharp in the top of the first inning, sending the Royals lineup down in order 1-2-3 (two groundouts, fly out).

In the bottom of the second the Yankees started the inning strong with Oswald Peraza getting hit by a pitch. With Peraza at first Anthony Rizzo grounded into a fielder’s choice, but thankfully a throwing error by the Royals first baseman allowed both Peraza and Rizzo to be safe.

With runners on first and second Gleyber Torres grounded into a double play, which got Rizzo out at second and himself. Peraza was able to advance to third safely.

Giancarlo Stanton stepped up to plate and hit a fly ball to end the inning. Peraza was left stranded at third.

Second Inning

In the top of the second Schmidt looked just as good, once again sending the Royals lineup down 1-2-3 (two fly balls, foul out to catcher).

The bottom of the second inning started off hot for the Yankees, as Franchy Cordero went yard to right field to put the Yanks up 1-0. 

Unfortunately, the Yanks weren’t able to build after the leadoff hit as DJ LeMahieu hit a fly ball, and Anthony Volpe grounded out.

Billy McKinney provided some spark with two outs as he earned a walk, but Kyle Higashioka struck out swinging to end the inning.

Third Inning

The top of the third was highlighted by McKinney’s great diving play to end the inning and Schmidt's continued dominance, going 1-2-3 again (groundout, strike out, line out).

The Yankees didn’t have any offensive action in the bottom of the third as Peraza struck out swinging, Rizzo hit a fly ball and Torres grounded out.

Fourth Inning

The top of the fourth is where things started to unravel for Schmidt, as the Royals hit a leadoff double. However, Schmidt was able to get two straight outs thanks to a lineout and a pop up. On the line out, Peraza made a great catch and potential double play, but was unable to get the call.

Schmidt started to fall apart again as he hit the next batter with a pitch and then allowed a homer to right field. The Royals took the lead 3-1.

Schmidt was able to end the inning on a groundout by the next pitcher.

In the bottom of the fourth the Yankees looked like they had no response as Stanton lined out to leadoff and Cordero popped it up to the shortstop. However with two outs, DJ was able to earn a walk, Volpe singled and McKinney blasted one to right center field. The Yanks regained the lead 4-3.

The offense halted right after the homer as Higgy grounded out to the shortstop to end the inning.

Fifth Inning

The top of the fifth was a whirlwind for Schmidt as he showed flashes of good and bad. The Royals started the inning off with a leadoff single to left field, but followed it up with a pop up to shortstop.

With a runner on first the Royals then hit a double to right field, placing runners at second and third with only one out. The Yankees were lucky that a runner didn’t score as Stanton bobbled the ball at the wall.

Schmidt was able to recover, grounding out the next batter and striking out the following batter to end the inning. Schmidt’s second half of the inning forced the Royals to strand runners at second and third.

The bottom of the fifth looked uneventful as Peraza filed out and Rizzo popped it up, but with two outs Torres homered to right center field to boost the Yankees lead 5-3. 

The inning ended right after as Stanton grounded out to the shortstop.  

Sixth Inning

Schmidt started the top of the sixth strong with a leadoff groundout, but allowed a double by the next batter. Schmidt then forced another groundout, but followed up with a walk. With two outs and runners on first and third Yankees Manager Aaron Boone went to the bullpen.

Wandy Peralta came in for Clarke Schmidt, Schmidt’s final stats for the night were five hits, three earned runs, one walk and two strikeouts for 5.2 innings. Clarke had only thrown 64 pitches on the night.

Wandy was able to end the inning after the first batter he faced, as he forced a fly ball. 

The bottom of the sixth started rough with Cordero striking out looking, but quickly turned around as DJ hit a single and Volpe got hit by a pitch.

With runners on first and second, the Royals made a pitching change. After the switch McKinney struck out and Higgy popped up to end the inning, stranding two runners.

Seventh Inning

Peralta stayed on the mound to start the top of the seventh and picked up right where he left off, forcing a leadoff fly ball. McKiny made another great catch in the outfield, this time up by the wall.

Unfortunately, Peralta’s luck ran out as the next batter was able to hit a single. Aaron Boone decided to make another call to the bullpen, this time for Michael King.

King did not look his best as he allowed a single to put runners on first and second. However, he bounced back, forcing a groundout and then striking out the next batter to end the inning unharmed.

The Yanks had nothing on offense as they went down 1-2-3. Paraza hit a leadoff fly ball, Rizzo struck out swinging and Torres also hit a fly ball. 

Eighth Inning

Tommy Kahnle took the mound for the top of the eighth and looked just like how he has the past few outings… awful. Kahnle started the inning off well, forcing a groundout, but allowed a blast to right field by the following batter. The Royals cut the Yankees lead down to 5-4.

Kahnle was able to bounce back, earring a strikeout and a pop up to end the inning. 

The Yankees offense had no response in the top of the eighth as Stanton hit a fly ball, Cordero grounded out and DJ struck out swinging. 

Ninth Inning

With only a one run lead the Yankees sent Clay Holmes to the mound to wrap up the win. Holmes started the inning off shaky, allowing a single to right field. However, Holmes forced a fly ball, line out (thanks to a nice catch from Peraza) and ground ball by the next three batters to get the job done. 

Volpe made a really nice play to help Clay out in ending the game.

The Yankees finally get a win, 5-4, after four straight losses and get their first win on a Friday since May 19.

Game 2 Recap

Gerrit Cole (9-2) took the mound for the Yankees for the second game of the Royals series against Kansas City’s Brady Singer (6-8). 

First Inning

Gerrit Cole came out firing in the top of the first with back to back strikeouts and a fly ball to get the defense rolling for the Yankees.

In the bottom of the first the Yankees were ready to go offensively as Billy McKinney earned a leadoff walk and Gleyber Torres hit an infield single. 

With runners on first and second Anthony Rizzo grounded into a double play, getting himself and Torres out, McKinney was able to move to third.

Giancarlo Stanton then hit a single to left field, bringing in McKinney for an early 1-0 lead. 

Cordero then ended the inning after hitting a fly ball.

Second Inning

Cole came out just as hot in the top of the second going 1-2-3 through the Royals lineup (two fly balls, strikeout).

The Yankees offense was quiet in the bottom of the second, DJ LaMahieu hit a fly ball, Oswaldo Cabrera grounded out and Ben Rortvedt grounded out.

Third Inning

The top of the third did not start how Cole would have liked as the Royals hit a leadoff homer to right field. The Royals tied the Yankees 1-1.

Cole responded with THREE straight strikeouts to end the inning. 

In the bottom of the third the Yankees offense got abc to work, as Volpe led off with a ground rule double. 

McKinney then struck out, but Volpe was able to steal third. 

Torres followed that up with a sac fly to left field, bringing the kid home. The Yanks regained the lead 2-1.

Rizzo struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Fourth Inning

The top of the fourth was an odd one as the Royals hit a bunt to third that seemed to roll foul way before the bag, but it was called fair. As Cole and the Yanks seemed upset about it the Royals batter tried to steal second but Cole threw him out. A very bizarre play all around.

Cole then grounded out the next batter, allowed a single and forced another groundout to end the inning and strand the runner. 

In the bottom of the fourth the Yankees offense was cold as Stanton lined out, Cordero struck out and DJ struck out. 

Fifth Inning

The top of the fifth started off shaky for the Yankees as Cole allowed a single and a walk to put runners on first and second with no outs. On a wild pitch the runner at second advanced to third to set up runners at the corners. Cole, however, struck out the next two batters. 

Unfortunately, before Cole could end the inning, he allowed a single to center which brought in a run. The Royals tied the Yankees 2-2. 

Cole then forced a fly ball against the next batter to get out of the inning and strand the runner at second and first.

The Yankees offense had no response as Cabrera, Rotvedt and Volpe all struck out.

Sixth Inning

Cole looked sharp again in the top of the sixth, forcing a fly ball on the leadoff hitter and then striking out the next two batters. 

The Yankees showed some hope in the bottom of the sixth as McKinney hit a leadoff single. Torres followed up by striking out, but right after him Rizzo singled to right field. 

Rizzo’s single snapped his 0-20 streak at the plate. 

With runners on the corners, Stanton stuck out and Cordero flew out, standing the runners. 

Seventh Inning

Cole started the top of the seventh on the mound and forced a leadoff groundout. Manager Aaron Boone had seen enough from Cole and called to the bullpen. 

Wandy Peralta came in from Cole, after Cole recorded five hits, two earned runs, one walk and TEN strikeouts over 6.1 innings. Another very solid outing for the CY Young candidate. 

Wandy grounded out the next two batters to end the inning.

In the top of the seventh the Yankees came out firing thanks to a DJ homer to right center field. The Yanks regained the lead 3-2.

That was all the offense the Yankees were going to give this inning as Cabrera lined out, Rotvedt flew out and Volpe struck out.

Eighth Inning

Tommy Kahnle took the mound for the top of the eighth and looked like himself before the All Star break. Kahnle struck out the leadoff batter and forced a fly ball by the next one.

Unfortunately, Kahnle gave up a single before ending the inning with a strikeout swinging. 

In the bottom of the eighth McKinney got things going with a leadoff walk. Torres then followed up by striking out, but McKinney was able to steal second. 

Rizzo then grounded out which let McKinney advance to third. Stanton then sent an absolute missile to left center field to give the Yankees some insurance. The Yanks lead was boosted up to 5-2.

Bader, who made his first appearance since getting hit in the ribs by a pitch on Wednesday against the Angles, hit an infield single. DJ then grounded out to end the inning and strand Bader.

Ninth Inning

With a three run lead the Yankees sent Clay Holmes to the mound to secure the win. Holmes started the inning off strong, striking out the leadoff hitter then forcing a groundout by the next.

Unfortunately, Holmes started to show signs of struggle, as he gave up a single and a walk to put runners on first and second. 

Clay was able to get out of the inning and end the game with a strikeout looking. The Yankees captured their second straight victory and first series win since June 29th against the Oakland A's. It was a 5-2 feel good outing for the Yankees and their fans. 

After the game the Yankees sent down Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero to Triple-A and they activated Jake Bauers and Greg Allen from the Injured list.

Game 3 Recap 

Luis Severino (1-4) took the mound for the Yankees for the third and final game of the Royals series against Kansas City’s Jordan Lyles (1-11). 

First Inning

In the top of the first Severino looked solid as he went 1-2-3 through the Royals lineup (strikeout, foul out, pop up).

In the bottom of the first the Yankees offense wasted no time in getting things started, as Jake Bauers hit a lead off single. Gleyber Torres then followed that up with a blast to center field. The Yanks got a 2-0 lead early. 

The offense was just getting started as Stanton singled to left and Rizzo doubled to center to (RBI) boost the Yanks lead to 3-0. 

DJ LeMahieu then grounded out for the first out of the inning, but Rizzo moved to third. The offense wasn’t done yet as Bader singled to center, allowing Rizzo to score. The Yanks lead is up to 4-0.

The offensive run ended as Billy McKinney flew out to center and Oswald Peraza popped up.

Second Inning

The top of the second was up and down for Severino as he started off good with a groundout, but followed up with a single. Severino then gave up a ground rule double, setting up runners at second and third. 

Severino was able to escape the trouble by striking out the next two batters.

The Yankees offense went quiet in the bottom of the second, going 1-2-3 thanks to a Kyle Higashioka pop up, Bauers line out and Torres groundout.

Third Inning

Severino started the top of the third nicely with a foul out, but gave up a single right after. Thankfully Severino was able to catch the runner at first sleeping and picked him off.

Severino then gave up an infield single but struck out the next batter to end the inning. 

The bottom of the third started off quiet with Stanton lining out, but Rizzo quickly changed that as he finally hit a home run. The Yankees lead is up to five.

Rizzo’s homer ended a 45 game drought without going yard, his second longest streak of his career (46 games, June 12, 2011-June 29, 2012). 

DJ followed up Rizzo’s homer with a double to left field. Bader then flew out to center, McKinney earned a walk and Peraza struck out swinging to end the inning. DJ and McKinney were left stranded.

Fourth Inning

The top of the fourth didn’t start how Severino would have liked as the Royals hit a leadoff homer to get on the board. The Yankees lead was cut to 5-1. 

Severino followed the homer up by going 1-2-3 through the next batters to get out of the inning (fly ball, groundout, pop up).

The Yankees offense had nothing going as Higgy hit a fly ball, Bauers struck out and Torres fouled out to the catcher.

Fifth Inning

Severino once again sent the Royals down in order, striking out the leadoff batter and forcing a fly ball and groundout by the other two. 

The Yankees started off the bottom of the fifth swinging as Stanton and Rizzo singled to centerfield. With runners on first and second DJ grounded into a double play. Stanton was able to move to third.

Bader then struck out swinging to end the inning and strand Stanton. 

Sixth Inning

Severino started the top of the sixth on the mound and opened up the inning with a single to left field. Thankfully Higgy was alert and caught the Royals runner trying to steal second and got him out. 

Right after Sevy let up a double to right field and then forced a groundout. Unfortunately, Sevy couldn’t build off the groundout and the Royals went yard during the next at bat. A two run shot cut the Yankees lead to 5-3.

Manager Aaron Boone saw enough from Sevy and made a call to the bullpen. Ian Hamilton replaced Sevy at the mound, after Sevy recorded eight hits, three earned runs, zero walks, five strikeouts over 5.2 innings. 

Hamilton struck out the next batter and ended the inning.

The Yankees yet again went down 1-2-3 thanks to McKinney striking out, Peraza grounding out and Higgy striking out. 

Seventh Inning

Hamilton stayed on the mound for the seventh inning as he sent the Royals lineup back to the bench 1-2-3 (two fly balls, strikeout). Bader made a really nice grab in center field for the first out. 

The bottom of the seventh started good for the Yankees as Bauers earned a walk. However, things took a turn as Volpe (hit for Torres) popped up, Allen (pinch running for Bauers) was caught stealing and Stanton struck out to end the inning. 

It was later reported that Volpe replaced Torres because Torres was dealing with some lower left hip tightness; no tests were scheduled post game.

Eighth Inning

Michael King took the mound for the top of the eighth and looked decent. King gave up a leadoff infield single but followed it up with a fly ball, single, and back to back strikeouts to end the inning. 

In the bottom of the eighth the Yankees offense reawakened as Rizzo hit a leadoff single, his fourth hit of the day (4-for-4) and first four hit game since August 4, 2019.

DJ then worked a walk, setting up runners on first and second with no outs. Bader then bunts to move the runners to second and third. 

McKinney was intentionally walked to set up bases loaded with one out. Peraza then hit an infield single and thanks to a throwing error by the Royals, DJ and Rizzo were able to score. Peraza advanced to second and McKinney made it to third.

Higgy followed that up with a sac fly to bring McKinney home and move Peraza to third. The Yanks lead was up to 8-3

Greg Allen then hit a fly ball to center to end the inning. 

Ninth Inning

Ron Marinaccio took the mound in the top of the ninth looking to secure the win and series sweep. Marinaccio started off horribly as he gave up a leadoff homer. Yanks lead cut to 8-4.

Marinaccio then struck out the next two batters, but then let up another home run. The Yanks lead was yet again cut, this time to 8-5.

Marinaccio was finally able to get out of the inning and end the game with a groundout.

The Yankees got the job done in a do-or-die series and were able to get out of their losing slump. Those inside and outside of the organization can only hope that this is the start of something special for the Yankees for the remainder of the year. 

Up Next:

Round two of the Subway series against the Mets, this time at Yankee Stadium. 

  • July 25 at 7:05 pm EST on TBS
    • German (NYY) vs Verlander (NYM)
  • July 26 at 7:05 pm EST on ESPN+
    • RodĂłn (NYY) vs Quintana (NYM)
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