The New York Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals with a 7-0 victory on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City as Gerrit Cole delivered his sharpest outing since returning to the mound and New York improved to 34-22 with its fourth straight win.
Making just his second start of the season, Cole looked fully in command from the opening inning. The right-hander struck out 10 batters across 6.2 scoreless innings while allowing only four hits and reaching 98.4 mph with his fastball. Cole retired the side in order in the first, striking out Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino in the process, and continued to overpower Kansas City throughout the night. His biggest moment came in the third inning when Aaron Judge cut down Michael Massey at home plate on a throw from right field to preserve the shutout.
The Yankees broke through offensively in the fourth inning when Ben Rice ripped an RBI triple off the left-field wall before scoring on Judge’s sacrifice fly. New York added to its lead in the seventh after Paul Goldschmidt drew a bases-loaded walk and Rice delivered a two-run single. Rice finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a walk, while Goldschmidt reached base three times.
Ryan McMahon added late insurance with a two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Yankees continued another strong offensive showing after Tuesday’s 24-hit outburst.
Following Cole’s exit, Fernando Cruz stranded an inherited runner before tossing a clean eighth inning, and Camilo Doval closed out the shutout in the ninth.
The Yankees continue their road trip Friday when they open a series against the Athletics in Sacramento, California, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 p.m. Carlos Rodón is expected to start for New York opposite former Yankee Luis Severino for the Athletics.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].