New York Yankees Beat Kansas City Royals 4-2 In a Pitcher’s Duel Between Can Schlittler and Michael Wacha

The Yankees won a pitcher’s duel between Can Schlittler and Michael Wacha 4-2. Both pitchers were outstanding in the game, and Schlittler was perfect through 3.2 innings. The Yankees got a big two-run home run in the fourth inning.

Though there was a great pitching performance tonight from Schlittler, the bigger story was that Gerrit Cole started the game tonight for the Somerset Patriots, the Yankees’ AA Affiliate. The starting shortstop in the game was Anthony Volpe. Tomorrow night, Carlos Rodon is going to start for Somerset. How good will the Yankees starting rotation be when both Cole and Rodon are added to it?

Yankees and Royals Game Summary

There was not much to this game, with two great starts from Schlittler and Wacha. The Yankees jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Ben Rice hit a two-run homer. Rice is off to an outstanding start with six home runs and 16 RBI. The home run was off a change-up from Wacha. It was the first hit he had given up on that pitch all season.

Gerrit Cole Pitches for Somerset Patriots

The biggest story in this game was not in the Bronx. Cole began his rehabilitation start tonight for the Somerset Patriots. He pitched 4.2 innings. He threw 44 pitches and 36 strikes. He gave up three hits and three runs. He struck out three and walked only one. He left the game with Sommerset having a 7-2 lead. This is his first game action since the 2024 World Series.

That was not all. In the same game, Volpe (the injured Yankee starting shortstop) batted second for the Patriots. The Yankees want him to get about 60 at-bats in the minor leagues before he gets called up to the big club.

Rodon is going to start the game tomorrow night for Somerset. He is another injured Yankee starting pitcher. Cole and Rodon will make about six minor league starts, and then they will join an impressive New York starting pitching rotation.

73 Years Ago Today

Mickey Mantle debuted for the Yankees 73 years ago. The youngster struggled, but eventually got it right. He was heralded as the heir to Joe DiMaggio, who was the heir to Babe Ruth. There was a bunch of pressure on Mantle, and though he was successful in his baseball career, he was not as successful as he could have been. That was not the only debut 73 years ago.

That was the first game for the Yankee public address announcer Bob Sheppard. The silky smooth announcer, nicknamed “the voice of God,” went on to announce for 56 years.

Alleluia and Hockey Jerseys

The win was secured by a two-run home run from Ryan McMahon. That was his first extra-base hit of the year, and it happened in the eighth inning of a tie game. He has been doing some extra work. He is a good defender, but his lack of offensive production has cost him playing time this year. Most often, that lack of playing time has been when Ahmed Rosario plays in his stead.

It seems like that work paid off for McMahon. This exciting 4-2 win happened in front of a full house on Hockey Jersey night. Giveaways are always popular games with the fans. When you combine all of that with good weather and an attractive pitching matchup, you get a big crowd. Now let’s see if the Yankees can win this afternoon.