New York Yankees 10, San Diego Padres 7
NEW YORK — In a decisive seven-run third inning, Anthony Rizzo played a pivotal role by delivering a go-ahead RBI single for the Yankees. However, his performance was marred by a neck injury sustained during a pickoff play. Despite this setback, the Yankees managed to chase Yu Darvish from the game early and secured a 10-7 victory over the San Diego Padres.
Anthony Rizzo got hurt in the sixth inning when he and Fernando Tatis Jr. collided. Kyle Higashioka picked off Tatis to end the play. Rizzo was leaning back to put the tag on when the impact happened, which knocked him out for a few minutes. After that, Rizzo went back to the dugout while the Yankees kept hitting.
Anthony Rizzo’s exit was precautionary, according to the Yankees. Rizzo was tested after the incident and is expected to play on Monday. To prevent harm, he was removed from the game.
Aaron Judge expressed that there is a sense of concern, but he acknowledged that the individual in question is a resilient and tough person. Judge mentioned that the person is likely to hold the record for the most hit by pitches in a couple of years, indicating his belief in their ability to endure such situations. He expressed his anticipation to observe how the person is managing.
Jake Cronenworth wasted no time, hitting a solo home run just two batters into the game. Following suit, Rougned Odor added to the Padres’ lead with a two-run homer off Gerrit Cole (6-0). Cole, despite his otherwise impressive performance, surrendered six runs (five earned) and four hits in six-plus innings.
Aaron Judge made his presence known by hitting a home run off Yu Darvish in the first inning. Later in the game, Judge delivered a crucial tying RBI single just before Anthony Rizzo’s go-ahead hit. Notably, Willie Calhoun, who was traded from the Dodgers to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Darvish back in 2017, added to Darvish’s troubles by hitting an RBI double, leading to Darvish’s exit from the game.
Manager Aaron Boone praised the team’s impressive string of quality at-bats, acknowledging that it is no easy feat to achieve against a pitcher of Yu Darvish’s caliber. He mentioned that typically, when a team can find success against Darvish, it often involves hitting a significant home run.
In an eventful second inning, Harrison Bader and Kyle Higashioka both committed throwing errors, inadvertently allowing Jose Azócar to score on his own RBI single. This turn of events proved beneficial for New York as they capitalized on the opportunity, matching their largest inning of the year.
Judge expressed disappointment regarding the defensive mistakes made by the team, emphasizing that such errors should not occur, particularly when their ace pitcher is on the mound. He acknowledged that against a formidable opponent like the Padres, even small errors can be capitalized upon. Judge also highlighted the team’s determination to respond and make amends for those mistakes.
Bader showcased his speed by beating out a potential double play grounder, resulting in Judge scoring and Bader himself crossing the plate on Calhoun’s hit, which ultimately led to Darvish’s departure from the game. Higashioka played a significant role in the prolonged inning, doubling twice and later hitting an RBI double after scoring on rookie Anthony Volpe‘s single.
In the eighth inning, Bader delivered a home run while Higashioka contributed with an RBI single.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who played a crucial role with the game-winning hit in the 10th inning on Saturday, continued his contributions with an RBI single.
Higashioka expressed gratitude towards his teammates, acknowledging that they supported him when he made a mistake and attempted to throw the ball into the second deck.
Darvish, who entered the game 3-4, allowed a season-high seven runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings. His first Yankees start in nearly six years. He had allowed seven runs in six career starts against New York.
Darvish’s start against the Yankees was his shortest since April 12, 2022, when he pitched 1 2/3 innings against San Francisco. This halted his second-longest start streak of 37.
Just before the first pitch, Juan Soto was scratched from the lineup due to back tightness. He was replaced by Azócar, who later contributed to the Padres taking a 3-1 lead. In the ninth inning, Soto grounded out against Clay Holmes, who allowed Brett Sullivan’s sacrifice fly. Holmes then retired Tatis on the next pitch, ending the game.
Azócar delivered a single to the left of Bader, allowing Ha-Seong Kim, who had stolen second base, to score. However, Bader’s throw went over Higashioka’s head and reached the backstop. Higashioka retrieved the ball but his subsequent throw to third base sailed into left field, enabling Azócar to cross the plate easily.
After five straight singles in the third inning, Rizzo’s single past Odor’s diving effort at second base gave the Yankees the lead. Bader just reached first base after Trent Grisham’s acrobatic catch on DJ LeMahieu’s hit, and Calhoun’s double forced Darvish’s exit.
The first three hitters for San Diego reached base, resulting in Cole being taken out of the game.
To end the seventh inning and preserve an 8-6 lead, Jimmy Cordero struck out Tatis on three pitches.
UP NEXT
In the opener of a three-game series in Seattle on Monday, Domingo Germán (2-3, 3.75 ERA) makes his return from a 10-game suspension for using a foreign substance. He will face RHP Bryce Miller (3-1, 1.15).
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