Carlos Rodon Tries to Halt Yanks Losing Streak at 5
Carlos Rodon tried to stop the Yankees’ losing streak at 5 as they battled the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in the final game of the three-game series. The Yankees are only a half-game ahead of the Rangers, and will win the season series with a win today. They got it, finally. This was likely the biggest start of Carlos Rodon’s career, facing the young Jack Leiter. This was an afternoon game and a getaway game for the Yankees. Maybe both those things helped Carlos Rodon. One thing is for certain: the Yankees need both Carlos Rodon and Max Fried to pitch like aces. Can the Yankees lose if they do not play?
Lineup Summary For the Carlos Rodon Start
The Rangers had Sam Haggerty as the left fielder, batting leadoff. Corey Seager was the shortstop, batting second. Marcus Semien was the second baseman, batting third. Adolis GarcÃa was the right fielder, batting fourth. Wyatt Langford was the center fielder and batted fifth. Josh Jung was the designated hitter and batted sixth.Joc Pederson pinch-hit for him in the eighth inning.
Alejandro Osuna ran for him. Kyle Higashioka was the catcher and batted seventh. Josh Smith was the third baseman who batted eighth. Ezequiel Duran was the first baseman and batted ninth. For the Yankees, Trent Grisham batted first and was the center fielder. Ben Rice was the first baseman and batted second. He moved to catcher in the eighth inning. Aaron Judge was the designated hitter and batted third. Cody Bellinger was the right fielder who batted fourth.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. was the second baseman who batted fifth. Jasson Dominguez was the left fielder and batted sixth. Anthony Volpe was the shortstop, batting seventh. Ryan McMahon was the third baseman and batted eighth. Ahmed Rosario pinch-hit for him in the seventh inning. Jose Caberello came in to play third base in the eighth inning. Austin Wells was the catcher, batting ninth. Paul Goldschmidt pinch-hit for him in the seventh inning. He stayed in to play first base.
News and Notes
Volpe and the Rangers’ starting pitcher, Jack Leiter, were in Little League Baseball in New Jersey. Leiter’s father, Al, played for the Yankees and was in the stands for the game. Leiter throws up to 97 miles per hour. Goldschmidt was named the 2025 Yankees Heart and Hustle Award winner. The Major League Baseball Players Association gives the award to “active players who exemplify a true passion for the game and who best embody the values, spirit, and tradition of the game.”
The Yankees made a raft of transactions before the game yesterday. Both Mark Leter Jr. and Yerry de los Santos returned from the injured list. Jake Bird and J.T. Brubaker were sent to the minors. So, the Yankees’ bullpen changed composition yesterday. On this day in 1979, the Yankees attended the funeral of Thurmon Munson.
Game Reaction
This game was probably Carlos Rodon’s biggest start as a Yankee. Not only was he looking to halt a five-game skid, but the Yankees must win this game if they are to stay in front of the Rangers in the American League Wild Card Race. Also, if the Yankees win, they will win the season series from the Rangers. This is important because winning the season series from the Rangers will give the Yankees the playoff tiebreakers with Texas.
Leter was the second overall pick in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft. The Yankees were pressing. That is one of the issues during this losing streak. Everyone is trying to hit a five-run home run. With this weight on their shoulders, they often slump. This includes Aaron Judge. The Rangers scored first as Carlos Rodon gave up a run in the third inning.
As the Yankees are not hitting, this seemed like an insurmountable lead. Mark Leiter Jr. was the first Yankee relief pitcher. So, both Leiters pitched in this game. He said, “To both be doing what our Dads did [is] special.”Goldschmidt hit a huge home run for the Yankees in the seventh inning. He probably saved the Yankees’ season.
Scoring Summary
In the third inning, Haggerty singled and Duran scored. The Rangers led 1-0. In the fourth inning, Volpe singled off his old pal Lieter, and Bellinger scored. The Yankees got another run in the fourth inning as Dominguez attempted to steal third. The ball went into the outfield, and Dominguez scored. The Yankees took a 2-1 lead. This was good for Carlos Rodon, who needed to pitch with a lead. In the fifth inning, Semien singled and Duran scored. The Rangers tied the game at 2. In the seventh inning, Goldschmidt hit a solo home run. The Yankees led 3-2.
Final Thoughts
Carlos Rodon got to start a huge game for the Yankees. Not only was he trying to halt a five-game road losing streak. The Yankees need to win to stay in front of the Rangers. Also, the Yankees would win the season series with the Rangers. That is the first playoff tiebreaker. Carlos Rodon pitched well, but needed to go very deep in this game with the Yankees’ bullpen taxed. Carlos Rodon pitched only five innings and left when the game was tied at two, making it impossible to win.
