Yankees 7-3 Dodgers: New York forces Yamamoto to shortest outing
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Follow UsNew York Yankees 7-3 Los Angeles Dodgers
The New York Yankees responded emphatically Sunday evening, preventing their first series sweep this season with a commanding 7-3 triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fueled by Ben Rice‘s towering 425-foot blast, a dominant outing from Ryan Yarbrough, and DJ LeMahieu’s first four-hit game since 2021, the Bronx Bombers rescued both dignity and momentum from a turbulent weekend.
This represented more than just a victory. It showcased a measured, focused rebound from consecutive blowouts — including Saturday’s devastating 18-2 shellacking — and delivered an emphatic statement that this squad refuses to surrender, even on hostile territory against baseball’s most potent lineup.
Yarbrough dominates against former team
The Yankees entrusted Ryan Yarbrough (3-0), a recognizable figure to Dodger supporters following his 2023 tenure with Los Angeles, and the southpaw delivered magnificently. Across six brilliant innings, he limited the league’s premier offense to merely four hits and one run, recording five strikeouts while maintaining exceptional control.
Yarbrough received his 2023 World Series ring during pregame festivities. He answered by demonstrating precisely what the Dodgers had relinquished.
The pitcher expressed the emotional nature of returning to his former club but emphasized that once the game commenced, the focus shifted entirely to execution and his desire to capture this particular victory.
Yamamoto overwhelmed by Yankees’ aggressive strategy
Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-4) entered as the stabilizing force for an injury-depleted rotation but departed prematurely following one of his most challenging performances this season. In merely 3 2/3 innings, the Japanese right-hander yielded seven hits, four earned runs, and issued three walks — all representing season-high totals. His signature splitter failed to deceive Yankees hitters who attacked aggressively early in counts and forced extended pitch sequences.
The nadir occurred in the third when Aaron Judge drew a walk and Ben Rice hammered a fastball 425 feet to center for a two-run shot that provided the Yankees a 3-1 advantage. They expanded that margin with another run via wild pitch, and by Yamamoto’s departure, the Yankees controlled the contest.
Yankees’ attack produces in critical situations
The Bronx offense, largely silent throughout much of the series, finally awakened. Jasson Domínguez initiated the scoring with an RBI single in the opening frame and subsequently reached second on Andy Pages’ errant throw. Though he later departed with a bruised thumb, his contributions proved vital to the early momentum swing.
During the fifth, DJ LeMahieu and Oswald Peraza delivered run-scoring singles against reliever Lou Trivino to extend the lead to 6-1. LeMahieu continued his production, adding an RBI double in the ninth to complete his four-hit evening.
Despite going hitless in four at-bats, Judge’s presence helped generate walks and create scoring chances. Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells, and Rice each contributed meaningful hits, illustrating a comprehensive offensive display.
Dodgers’ comeback attempt thwarted by Yankees relief
The Dodgers managed solo homers from Andy Pages and Max Muncy in the seventh, but the Yankees‘ bullpen — frequently criticized this season — maintained control. Mark Leiter Jr. and Luke Weaver handled the final three innings, permitting just one baserunner.
Key moment & Stats
Yarbrough’s escape from trouble in the fifth, striking out Will Smith with runners positioned at the corners, prevented the Dodgers from narrowing the deficit and shifted momentum decisively toward New York.
- The Yankees are 4-0 in games facing potential series sweeps, having previously avoided them against Arizona, Detroit, Cleveland, and now Los Angeles.
- The Dodgers’ top four hitters — Shohei Ohtani, Teoscar Hernández, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith — were held hitless for the first time this season.
- New York remains one of only three MLB teams yet to suffer a series sweep of two or more games in 2025.
Injury note
Jasson Domínguez exited with a bruised left thumb after sliding into second base. Initial assessments appeared encouraging, but additional imaging is scheduled for Monday. His availability for the Cleveland series remains day-to-day.
Yankees roster
| hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| P. Goldschmidt1B | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.333 | 0.388 | 0.486 |
| T. GrishamCF | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.253 | 0.347 | 0.518 |
| A. JudgeRF | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.391 | 0.485 | 0.764 |
| B. RiceDH | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.25 | 0.34 | 0.535 |
| J. DominguezLF | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.247 | 0.346 | 0.42 |
| aC. BellingerPH-LF | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.253 | 0.33 | 0.443 |
| A. VolpeSS | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.239 | 0.321 | 0.426 |
| A. WellsC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.212 | 0.284 | 0.442 |
| D. LeMahieu2B | 5 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.239 | 0.314 | 0.326 |
| O. Peraza3B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.159 | 0.245 | 0.318 |
| pitchers | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | PC-ST | ERA |
| R. Yarbrough(W, 3-0) | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 93-57 | 2.83 |
| J. Loaisiga | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 19-14 | 4.05 |
| D. Williams(H, 7) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8-Dec | 6.23 |
| T. Hill | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14-8 | 3.24 |
Up Next
Tuesday, June 3 — Yankee Stadium, Bronx
Yankees starter: LHP Carlos Rodón (7-3, 2.60 ERA)
Guardians starter: TBA
First pitch: 7:05 p.m. EDT
Rodón will seek to extend his winning streak and further reduce an already impressive ERA against a Cleveland team struggling for traction in the AL Central. The Yankees, now 33-21, maintain their AL East lead with increasing separation from Tampa Bay.
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