New York Yankees 1-0 Los Angeles Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The New York Yankees walked away with a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night — and it wasn’t thanks to a home run, a late-game rally, or even their most dangerous hitter. It was a first-inning sacrifice fly from Anthony Volpe that provided the only run in a game dominated by pitching, precision, and poise.
While Volpe’s bat provided the game’s lone run, it was Clarke Schmidt’s dominant outing and a gutsy effort from a short-handed bullpen that sealed New York’s fifth straight win.
Clarke Schmidt, tasked with finishing the sweep, turned in his best start of the season, and the bullpen held on to make it five straight wins for New York and 16 of their last 20.
It was the Yankees’ first 1-0 victory over the Angels since April 30, 1970.
Volpe’s sac fly with maximum impact
The game’s only run came quickly. Paul Goldschmidt led off with a double off Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi. After Trent Grisham struck out, the Angels opted not to pitch to the red-hot Aaron Judge, issuing an intentional walk with one out—marking the first time a Yankee was intentionally walked in the first inning since Robinson Cano in 2012.
Cody Bellinger then walked to load the bases, setting the stage for Volpe. The Yankees’ shortstop delivered with a fly ball to center that plated Goldschmidt. Volpe’s productive out would prove to be the difference.
“I just wanted to put the ball in play and get the job done,” Volpe said postgame. “In a game like that, every run matters.”
Volpe’s sacrifice fly ultimately stood as the difference-maker — one swing in a game ruled by pitching.
Volpe didn’t record a hit in the box score, but his execution under pressure earned him MVP honors on the night. “Sometimes all it takes is one good swing,” Volpe said postgame. “Just trying to do my job and get that run home.”
Schmidt shines in statement start
Schmidt’s command was sharp, and his poise under pressure even sharper. After allowing the first two runners to reach in the second inning, he struck out back-to-back batters and induced a routine fly ball to escape the jam. From there, the right-hander settled in.
He tossed six scoreless innings on 99 pitches (69 strikes), allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out four. It was a much-needed rebound after a rocky outing against the Rockies in Denver last week, where altitude and command issues led to a short start.
“Clarke was in complete control after that second inning,” said manager Aaron Boone. “That’s the kind of outing we know he’s capable of.”
Over the three-game sweep, Schmidt, Carlos Rodon, and Ryan Yarbrough combined to allow just one run over 19 innings. Collectively, the trio surrendered only 11 hits and two walks while striking out 21 batters.
Angels pitch around Judge — again
The Angels made it clear early: Judge would not be the one to beat them. He was walked intentionally again in the second inning after back-to-back hits by Goldschmidt and Grisham. With first base open and two outs, Angels manager Ron Washington raised four fingers again. This time, Bellinger popped out to end the inning.
Judge finished 0-for-2 with two walks, watching his average drop slightly to .391. Still, his presence loomed large.
After the second free pass, Judge glanced toward the Angels’ dugout and tipped his helmet toward Washington. The longtime manager laughed, acknowledging the cat-and-mouse chess match.
Bullpen holds its ground
With Luke Weaver and Devin Williams unavailable, the Yankees bullpen stitched together three critical innings to protect the one-run lead.
Ian Hamilton breezed through the seventh but hit trouble in the eighth. After a leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt, the tying run stood at second. Hamilton retired Zach Neto on a flyout before Tim Hill entered to face left-handed hitter Nolan Schanuel. One pitch later, a groundout to second ended the inning.
Mark Leiter Jr. took over in the ninth for his second save opportunity of the season. He retired Jo Adell and Taylor Ward before walking Jorge Soler — who had two of the Angels’ five hits — but struck out Logan O’Hoppe on a questionable curveball to end the game.
The Yankees’ bullpen, even shorthanded, delivered again. Boone didn’t hesitate to credit the entire staff.
“They all stepped up,” he said. “It was one of those games where you need everyone to do their job. And they did.”
Rotation leading Yankees charge
Without Cole, Stroman, or Gil, the Yankees’ rotation has surprisingly become one of the league’s best.
In their last nine games, New York starters have allowed just eight runs over 51.2 innings — a staggering 1.39 ERA. For the season, the Yankees’ starting staff ranks top-five in the AL with a 3.32 ERA.
Max Fried anchors the rotation with early Cy Young chatter, while Rodón and Yarbrough have stabilized the middle. Schmidt and rookie Will Warren round out a group that’s dominating opponents with depth and discipline.
Yankees lineup vs. Angels
| Hitting | AB | R | H | RBI | HR | BB | K |
| P. Goldschmidt 1B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| T. Grisham CF | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| A. Judge DH | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| C. Bellinger RF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| A. Volpe SS | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| J. Dominguez LF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| D. LeMahieu 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| J.C. Escarra C | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| O. Peraza 3B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| B. Rice PH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| J. Vivas 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Team | 32 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 13 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | BB | K | HR | |
| C. Schmidt(W, 2-2) | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | |
| I. Hamilton(H, 2) | 1.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| T. Hill(H, 4) | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| M. Leiter Jr.(S, 2) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Team | 9 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
Up next
The Yankees now head to Dodger Stadium for a weekend rematch of last year’s World Series. While the spotlight naturally falls on Judge, Soto, and Goldschmidt, the true strength of this team lies in its rotation and emerging role players like Volpe and Peraza.
Their 1-0 win on Wednesday night wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t packed with home runs or highlight reels. But it was exactly the type of gritty, hard-earned victory that championship teams collect across a long season.
And as the Yankees surge toward summer, they’re showing the depth and durability that October dreams are built on.
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