The New York Yankees kicked off their three-game series with the Athletics in style, blanking them 3-0 on Friday night at Yankee Stadium.
Starter Will Warren looked shaky early, walking three in a 36-pitch first inning but stranded the bases loaded with a strikeout of Gio Urshela. After settling in, he retired the side in order in the second and worked through five shutout innings, allowing just two hits and four walks while fanning seven.Â
Jazz Chisholm Jr. provided the early offense, launching his 12th home run of the season into the second deck in right in the second inning.
One frame later, the Yankees cashed in again when Cody Bellinger drove in Anthony Volpe with a two-out RBI single after the A’s intentionally walked Aaron Judge. Bellinger continues to thrive in those moments, now hitting .400 with seven RBI in at-bats following an intentional pass to Judge.
In the fourth, the Yankees loaded the bases via two walks and an error. DJ LeMahieu pushed the lead to 3-0 with an infield single that deflected off pitcher Mitch Spence’s hand.
The bullpen was excellent in relief of Warren. Tim Hill escaped a jam in the sixth, Fernando Cruz fired a clean seventh, Luke Weaver followed with a scoreless eighth, and Devin Williams locked it down in the ninth, recording his 11th save of the season.
The Yankees (47-34) will look to secure a series win on Saturday when Clarke Schmidt takes the ball at 1:05 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.