New York Yankees 6, Pittsburgh Pirates 3
PITTSBURGH — In the third inning, Giancarlo Stanton launched a solo home run, marking only his second hit in the last eight games. The New York relievers proceeded to retire 15 consecutive batters, leading the Yankees to a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night. This win propelled the Yankees to a three-game advantage over .500 for the first time in a month.
In the third inning, Giancarlo Stanton kicked off the action with his 24th home run of the season, a powerful 418-foot solo shot off Luis Ortiz (4-5). This blast landed squarely in the left-field bleachers, widening the Yankees‘ lead to 4-2. Despite a challenging recent performance, the five-time All-Star has been struggling, with only two hits in his last 27 at-bats since September 6th, all three of which happened to be home runs. As a result, his batting average has plummeted to a career-low of .195.
During their seven-game road trip, New York has been performing exceptionally well, boasting a 5-1 record. Over their last 19 games, they’ve secured victory in 14 of them, allowing them to establish a two-game lead over the last-place Boston in the AL East division. This remarkable surge has propelled the Yankees (76-73) to a three-game advantage over .500 for the first time since August 12th when they initiated a discouraging nine-game losing streak. With a strong determination to avoid their first losing season since 1992, they’ve successfully won five of their last six series after a challenging stretch of 0-8-2 that began in late June.
Weaver’s performance saw him surrender three runs and four hits across four innings, during which he recorded seven strikeouts. Rookie Jhony Brito (8-7) went on to retire nine consecutive batters, while Ian Hamilton and Clay Holmes each retired three batters. Holmes, in particular, notched his 21st save out of 24 opportunities.
In contrast, Ortiz struggled on the mound, allowing four runs, six hits, and issuing six walks in 4 2/3 innings. The Pirates’ pitching staff walked a total of seven batters, and three of them ended up scoring.
In the opening inning, rookie Austin Wells smashed an RBI double that grazed the glove of centerfielder Jack Suwinski. Following Ortiz’s third walk of the inning, Estevan Florial delivered a sharp single to right field.
Bryan Reynolds swiftly narrowed the gap to 3-2 in the bottom half of the inning with his 22nd home run, a two-run shot.
Following Stanton’s home run, Endy Rodríguez contributed with a sacrifice fly in the third inning.
Aaron Judge, who had walked for the third time, crossed the plate on a wild pitch. In the eighth inning, Oswaldo Cabrera notched his fifth home run of the season, facing off against Thomas Hatch.
UP NEXT
Left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodón (3-5, 6.14 ERA) is slated to take the mound for the Yankees in the series finale on Sunday.
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