The New York Yankees bounced back Saturday with a 5-1 victory over the San Diego Padres, using a five-run offensive surge and another strong performance from their pitching staff to even the three-game series.
New York (81-61) broke through against Padres starter Robbie Ray in the second inning, scoring four times before chasing the veteran left-hander. Spencer Jones opened the scoring with an RBI double, and Ray later forced home another run with a bases-loaded walk to Paul Goldschmidt.
Cody Bellinger followed with a two-run single through the infield, giving the Yankees a 4-0 advantage. Ray recorded only seven outs while allowing five earned runs on five hits.
The Yankees added another run in the third when George Lombard Jr. lifted a sacrifice fly to bring Ben Rice home. San Diego turned to Griffin Canning with the bases loaded and one out, and the right-hander escaped the inning when Austin Wells grounded into a double play.
Carlos Rodón delivered one of his strongest outings of the season, limiting the Padres to two hits and one run across five innings while striking out seven. His only mistake came in the fifth inning, when Manny Machado launched a solo home run that provided San Diego with its lone run.
Rodón threw 89 pitches before handing the ball to the bullpen, which protected the four-run advantage without allowing another run.
Carson Fulmer, Brent Headrick, John Schreiber, and Tim Hill combined to finish the game. Hill surrendered a ninth-inning single to Austin Hays but recovered to close out the victory.
The Yankees will finish its West Coast trip Sunday at 4:10 p.m., with Gerrit Cole scheduled to face former Yankee Michael King.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.