The Kansas City Royals took a 4-1 lead against the New York Yankees, highlighted by key RBI hits from Tommy Pham, Garrett Hampson, and Maikel Garcia.
At Yankee Stadium on Monday night, there was no sense of frustration in the Yankees’ clubhouse following their 4-2 loss in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. Rather than showing anger after missing opportunities to eliminate the Royals, the team maintained a calm demeanor. With the series now tied at one game each, the Yankees head to Missouri for Game 3 on Wednesday, where they will face the challenge of regaining home-field advantage.
Yankees third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. expressed confidence in his team’s ability to win the series, stating, “I don’t feel like anybody feels any different. We’re going to go out there and do our thing still.”
The Yankees had a strong start, showcasing what they believed to be their superiority during the first three innings. Pitcher Carlos Rodon energized the crowd by striking out all three batters in the first inning with an impressive display, reaching speeds of 98 mph. Giancarlo Stanton contributed to the scoring with a key hit that allowed Gleyber Torres to cross the plate for the first run of the game, igniting cheers from the home crowd.
However, the Yankees struggled to maintain momentum. Despite Rodón’s effective pitching early in the game—throwing just 39 pitches over three innings—Royals pitcher Cole Ragans had a tougher time, needing 70 pitches to retire nine batters.
The Yankees’ second run didn’t come until the ninth inning when Chisholm hit a home run, providing a glimmer of hope. Despite their strong performance in Game 1, where they overcame challenges with runners in scoring positions, the Yankees couldn’t capitalize in Game 2, leaving eight runners stranded and going 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position throughout the game.
Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge noted the Royals’ effective pitching during crucial moments, emphasizing the need for the Yankees to make the most of their scoring opportunities.
Judge, who has struggled in postseason games, had a mixed performance, finishing 1-for-3 following a disappointing 0-for-4 outing in Game 1.
On the other hand, the Royals were able to take advantage of their chances in a decisive fourth inning. Veteran catcher Salvador Perez opened the inning with a home run, marking his first postseason homer in nine years. This was followed by a series of singles and smart baserunning that led to a three-run addition to their score.
The Royals relied heavily on effective hitting against Rodón, earning all their runs with hits off his sliders, leading to a quiet stadium that soon erupted in support for the Royals.
As Game 3 approaches, both teams are preparing for a critical matchup at Kauffman Stadium—sporting confidence and a determination to seize control of the series. Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed his belief in the team’s resilience, readying them for what’s to come.