Yankees arms invite spotlight after Rodon and pen muzzle Rangers in 1-0 win

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The New York Yankees continued their torrid pace with a masterful 1-0 victory over the Texas Rangers. Aaron Boone’s pitchers give him the edge in the family fight by dominating Rangers hitters coached by his elder brother, Bret.

The win completed a three-game sweep and showcased a different side of this Yankees team. Carlos Rodon dominated on the mound. Jorbit Vivas provided the lone offensive spark with his first major league home run. The bullpen shut down every Rangers threat. It was a clinic in pitching and defense rather than the typical power display.

The Yankees didn’t need a barrage of home runs this time. They managed just one run on Vivas’ milestone blast. The rookie’s 360-foot shot cleared the short porch in right field after he turned on a Nathan Eovaldi fastball. But that single swing was all the offense they needed.

The pitching staff made it stand up.

Rodon’s form stays red-hot

Carlos Rodon has transformed into one of baseball’s most dominant starters. His six-inning masterpiece against Texas featured just two hits allowed, two walks, and eight strikeouts. He now leads the majors with a .161 opponent batting average and has dropped his ERA to 2.88.

The left-hander’s recent surge has been remarkable. Since April 18, he’s gone 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA over seven starts. He’s provided both quality and length during this stretch. With Gerrit Cole still injured and Luis Gil dealing with health issues, Rodon has become the rotation’s reliable anchor.

“We just gotta keep going,” Rodon said postgame. “Just keep going deep into games. Not taxing the bullpen… and giving the offense a chance to get in the dugout and swing the bats.”

His 105-pitch effort included a crucial escape in the sixth inning. Wyatt Langford walked, stole second base, and reached third on a wild pitch. But Rodon ended the threat by striking out Jake Burger with a devastating changeup.

“He has four pitches that he can use at any time,” catcher J.C. Escarra said. “It’s no wonder he’s having the success he’s having.”

Vivas breaks through with first home run to back Yankees’ edge

Rodon earned the headlines for his pitching performance. But the game’s decisive moment belonged to 24-year-old infielder Jorbit Vivas. His first major league home run provided the game’s only scoring.

The Venezuelan rookie attacked Eovaldi’s first-pitch fastball in the fifth inning. He connected squarely and sent it into the right-field seats. The ball traveled 360 feet but carried historic significance for the young player.

“It definitely means it’s special,” Vivas said through a translator. “Because you are helping your team win, and from Day 1, that’s what I’ve been trying to do here.”

Vivas circled the bases with composure before allowing himself a brief smile in the dugout. He revealed later that he called his mother in Venezuela immediately after the game. The proud moment was one he wanted to share with his family back home.

This performance was built on Vivas’ earlier contributions during the homestand. He worked an 11-pitch at-bat against the Mets that sparked a six-run rally. His combination of patience and power gives the Yankees confidence they’ve found another valuable infield option.

Bullpen backs Rodin in shutout fashion

The Yankees entered the game without Fernando Cruz, who’s dealing with shoulder inflammation. The remaining relievers needed to step up in high-pressure situations. They delivered once again.

Mark Leiter Jr. faced immediate trouble in the seventh inning. An Oswald Peraza throwing error extended the frame and put runners on second and third. But Leiter responded by striking out former Yankees prospect Josh Smith with a sharp splitter to preserve the lead.

Escarra praised the effectiveness of Leiter’s splitter in two-strike situations.

Devin Williams contributed a scoreless eighth inning. His season-long turnaround continues to impress. After opening with an 11.57 ERA, he’s now thrown 10 scoreless outings in his last 11 appearances. His ERA has dropped to 6.50 during this stretch.

“This is who he is,” manager Aaron Boone said of the veteran reliever finding his form.

Luke Weaver needed only 10 pitches to secure his seventh save in the ninth inning. His season ERA sits at a microscopic 0.40 across 21 relief appearances. He’s allowed just one earned run all year.

“I want to be able to be efficient to be able to come back the next day,” said Weaver, who has pitched three straight days.

Yankees’ pitching identity suddenly in focus

The Yankees improved to 30-19 with their 11th victory in 14 games. They’re heading into a nine-game road trip with serious momentum. But their method of winning has become the story.

Despite leading baseball in runs and home runs, the Yankees scored only 10 runs during their Rangers sweep. Their pitching staff carried the load instead.

Yankees starters have posted a combined 2.68 ERA over their last 34 games. The team has limited opponents to three earned runs or fewer in 29 of those contests. During their current eight-game run, they’ve allowed no more than three runs in any game while posting a 1.85 team ERA.

The depth runs throughout the rotation. Max Fried leads the majors with a 1.29 ERA. Rodón has become nearly unhittable. Ryan Yarbrough offers a deceptive left-handed look. Will Warren is developing into a reliable back-end starter. Clarke Schmidt’s return from injury adds another quality arm.

Boone expressed confidence in his entire staff: “Every day right now, whoever we hand the ball, we have a lot of confidence.”

A new look Yankees team

This Yankees team is showing new dimensions. Not every victory requires a power surge. Not every game depends on Aaron Judge. Instead, it’s about Rodón overpowering opposing hitters, Vivas delivering clutch moments, and a bullpen that consistently closes games.

Through the cold rain in the Bronx, the Yankees proved that strong pitching wins just as often as explosive offense.

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