Brent Rooker delivered a decisive sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, leading the Oakland Athletics to a 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night in New York.
The Athletics mounted a comeback after trailing early in the game, with Rooker’s fly ball allowing Nick Kurtz to score the winning run without a play at home plate.
Game Highlights
Nick Kurtz initiated the ninth-inning rally with a single, followed by a double from Shea Langeliers. Rooker’s fly ball to center field capped the inning, securing the win for the Athletics.
Elvis Alvarado contributed significantly to the Athletics’ bullpen, earning his second win of the season by getting two outs in a game where the relief pitchers combined for four hitless innings after starter Luis Severino.
Joel Kuhnel closed the game with a perfect ninth inning, marking his second major league save, his first since 2022.
Yankees’ Performance
Ryan McMahon made his first big league start at shortstop for the Yankees, recording five assists but struggling at the plate with no hits in three at-bats.
Starting pitcher Luis Severino, who played in the Yankees organization from 2012 to 2023, allowed two runs during the first inning, surrendering four hits and five walks over five innings of work.
Early Innings Analysis
The Yankees took an early lead, scoring in the first inning with three consecutive singles, culminating in Cody Bellinger’s blooper. Severino subsequently issued eight consecutive balls, resulting in a forced run.
The Athletics managed to tie the game in the fourth inning with an RBI single from Jeff McNeil, who was celebrating his 34th birthday, followed by a wild pitch from Will Warren.
Yankees’ Struggles
Ben Rice of the Yankees recorded his first four-strikeout game in the major leagues, while the team struggled with runners in scoring position, finishing the night with a 1-for-7 performance, lowering their season average to .227.
Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake faced ejection during the third inning after arguing with the plate umpire regarding ball and strike calls.
Injury Update
Manager Aaron Boone provided an update on shortstop Anthony Volpe, who is recovering from left shoulder surgery. Boone indicated that Volpe could begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment as early as next week.
Looking Ahead
The series finale is set for Thursday, featuring Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers facing Athletics’ Jeffrey Springs in a matchup of left-handed pitchers.