Two rookies go extra mile in Yankees’ 8-4 win over Giants

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Will Warren ensured the mound mystery while Ben Rice’s bat rallied the New York Yankees in their 8-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

In the biting chill of The Bronx, where unpredictable gusts and slippery baseballs challenged even the steadiest hands, Yankees freshman hurler Will Warren emerged as the unexpected hero. Facing a depleted pitching staff and mounting pressure, the right-hander delivered five impressive frames, surrendering just two runs while fanning six batters. His composed performance secured his first major league win as New York dispatched the San Francisco Giants 8-4 at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.

Warren, who entered with a troubling 6.00 ERA, conquered both the elements and early adversity after Wilmer Flores connected for a two-run blast. The rookie showed remarkable poise, retiring 11 of his final 12 opponents. His timely excellence couldn’t have come at a better moment, with Marcus Stroman heading to the IL and the club facing a grueling 13-day stretch without rest.

Saturday’s contest occurred precisely 47 years after Reggie Jackson’s legendary “Candy Bar Day” homer in 1978.

Explosive fifth frame transforms contest

The Yankees’ bats, recently silent during a frustrating stretch, erupted for a decisive five-run fifth inning that altered the game’s complexion. The offensive surge began with rookie Ben Rice’s clean single to center. Aaron Judge followed with a scorching 112-mph liner, while Cody Bellinger—working to escape a 3-for-21 cold spell—ripped an RBI single to ignite the rally.

Paul Goldschmidt delivered a crucial two-run ground-rule double that extended the advantage, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. worked a walk to load the bases. Though Anthony Volpe’s deep fly ball found a glove, it provided another run, before Jasson Domínguez capped the outburst with a clutch two-run single that pushed New York ahead 7-2.

“It’s contagious,” Rice said after the game. “That’s how our lineup goes.”

Warren finds rhythm as bullpen cements victory

After surrendering the early homer to Flores in the second, Warren quickly found his groove. The rookie tossed 91 pitches across five innings, issuing just two walks while limiting San Francisco to a pair of hits. His composure provided the bullpen with crucial breathing room.

Fernando Cruz took the mound in the sixth but encountered trouble following a Jazz Chisholm throwing error, allowing two unearned runs. Manager Aaron Boone made a quick decision, summoning Luke Weaver, who promptly struck out Sam Huff to extinguish the threat.

Weaver maintained his effectiveness, leaving two runners stranded in the seventh by striking out Matt Chapman. Mark Leiter Jr. delivered a clean eighth, while closer Devin Williams, looking to rebound from recent difficulties, navigated around two baserunners in the final frame to secure the victory.

Judge and Bellinger establish early momentum

New York struck immediately in the opening inning. Judge, continuing his torrid start to the 2025 campaign, laced a 115.2-mph single up the middle. Bellinger followed with an opposite-field triple that caromed off the left-field barrier to bring Judge home, and Goldschmidt’s sacrifice fly doubled the advantage to 2-0.

Though Flores knotted the contest with his second-inning blast, the Yankees regrouped quickly, setting the stage for their fifth-inning explosion.

Rice continues hot streak

Ben Rice provided additional insurance in the sixth, launching his fourth homer of the season into the right-center seats off former Yankees reliever Lou Trivino. The blast represented another standout moment for the young slugger, who continues to thrive atop the batting order.

“We can bang,” Yankees skipper Aaron Boone said. “These guys can bang. It’s the big leagues. You’re gonna score two one day. You’re gonna score zero. But today we showed what this lineup is capable of.”

The Yankees had managed just 11 runs across their previous five contests, but Saturday’s eight-run outburst served as a potent reminder of their offensive capabilities.

The Yankees’ 26 homers through 13 games represent the highest total in franchise history over that span.

Cody Bellinger sits just three home runs shy of reaching the 200 mark for his career.

Looking ahead

With the series deadlocked, the Yankees aim to claim victory in Sunday’s finale against the Giants. Clarke Schmidt is projected to rejoin the rotation next week, but with Stroman sidelined and Carrasco struggling, New York’s pitching depth remains an ongoing concern.

Nevertheless, the combined contributions from rookies like Warren and Rice, alongside veterans such as Judge and Goldschmidt, provided a much-needed spark as the team seeks to recapture its early-season momentum.

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