In a recent matchup, Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodón put on a striking performance, racking up seven strikeouts. However, a challenging fourth inning overshadowed his efforts. This pivotal moment allowed the Kansas City Royals to score four runs, leading them to a 4-2 victory and tying the series at one game apiece.
The Yankees entered Game 2 of the series on a high note after winning the first game. On October 7, Rodón opened the game with a commanding display, striking out three consecutive batters in the first inning. Giancarlo Stanton contributed with a key hit in the third inning, putting the Yankees on the scoreboard. However, the tide turned in the fourth inning.
It began when Salvador Perez, the Royals’ lead-off hitter that inning, launched a solo home run to tie the game. Yuli Gurriel followed with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Tommy Pham and Garrett Hampson each drove in runs, and after the Yankees made a pitching change, Maikel Garcia added another hit that brought in more runs. Ultimately, the Royals scored four runs in that inning, all charged to Rodón.
Rodón’s final line showed he lasted 3.2 innings, giving up seven hits and four earned runs but striking out seven batters—a bright spot in an otherwise difficult outing.
On the other side, Royals starter Cole Ragans pitched four innings. Although he allowed just one run, he walked four batters and threw 87 pitches, leading to an early pitching change. The Royals’ bullpen effectively managed to keep the Yankees’ lineup in check until the ninth inning, when Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a late solo home run to break the silence for New York.
