In a game defined by pitching precision and a moment of chaotic brilliance, the New York Yankees edged the Kansas City Royals 1–0 on Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium — and in doing so, etched two remarkable milestones into their 2025 campaign.
The tight win marked the Yankees’ fourth 1–0 shutout victory of the season — their most in a single year since 1976. It also came in a highly unusual fashion: the Yankees scored its only run on an unearned sequence, something the team hadn’t accomplished in a 1–0 win in more than 5,000 days.
A 5,086-day first: Unearned run seals victory
According to Baseball Reference’s Katie Sharp, the Yankees last won a 1–0 game with an unearned run on July 10, 2011 — a span of 5,086 days. Thursday night’s result snapped that long stretch in dramatic and borderline absurd fashion.
With the game locked in a scoreless tie in the top of the eighth inning, utilityman Pablo Reyes sparked the sequence with a leadoff single. Moments later, Paul Goldschmidt bounced a ground ball to the right side. Kansas City first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino couldn’t field it cleanly, allowing Reyes to round second aggressively.
Caught in a brief rundown after hesitating, Reyes stumbled between third and home — but then bolted for the plate as Royals catcher Freddy Fermin received an off-target throw. Reyes tumbled but touched the dish just before Fermin could recover.
“I think Pablo juked him out,” joked starter Will Warren, who watched the game-changing moment unfold from the dugout.
It was ruled a hit for Goldschmidt and an error on the throw home — meaning the run was officially unearned. And it stood as the game’s only tally.
The significance of four 1–0 wins for 2025 Yankees
Thursday’s result marked the fourth time in 2025 the Yankees have won a game by a 1–0 score. It’s their most such victories in a single season since 1976, a year when the team’s pitching staff included legends like Catfish Hunter and Ed Figueroa.
In today’s high-offense era, it’s a rare and impressive feat — and one that speaks volumes about the identity this current Yankees team has forged.
They may lack full roster health, but they make up for it with elite pitching depth, situational hitting, and rock-solid defense.
Warren leads Yankees to historic marl with signature outing
The 1–0 final wouldn’t have been possible without another statement outing from rookie right-hander Will Warren, who has emerged as an essential fill-in amid the Yankees’ injury-riddled rotation.
Warren delivered 5.2 shutout innings, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out four. His calm, calculated presence on the mound gave the Yankees the breathing room they needed in a tense, low-scoring affair.
With both Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) and Luis Gil (lat strain) out, Warren’s ascent has been timely — and essential.
“He’s got great mound presence,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said postgame. “He knows how to pitch in traffic. He doesn’t get sped up.”
Yankees bullpen delivers again
Once Warren exited, the bullpen took over — and continued its recent stretch of dominance.
Tim Hill, Mark Leiter Jr., and Jonathan Loaisiga each recorded outs in succession to bridge the gap.
Devin Williams locked down the ninth for his ninth save, further solidifying his role as the team’s interim closer while Luke Weaver nurses a hamstring strain.
Williams’ fastball-changeup combo proved lethal once again, and the Yankees’ bullpen has now tossed 18.1 consecutive scoreless innings.
This latest lockdown effort also marked the bullpen’s third straight game without allowing a run, a welcome sign as the team navigates a critical stretch of the schedule.
The bullpen’s workload remains a concern as the season progresses. However, performances like Thursday’s demonstrate the group’s capability under pressure.
Boone on Yankees blueprint
“This is who we are right now,” Boone said. “We’ve got guys stepping in, filling roles, and taking pride in every out.”
The Yankees improved to 42–25, despite dealing with injuries to key stars like Cole, Gil, and Stanton. That resilience has become a trademark. From unexpected heroes like Pablo Reyes, to bullpen anchors like Williams and Leiter Jr., the Yankees have built a winning formula on grit and execution.
With the Royals behind them, New York heads north to face their historic rivals at Fenway Park. The Yankees will open a three-game series against the Red Sox on Friday, with Ryan Yarbrough set to face Garrett Crochet.
The series comes at a pivotal point. The AL East remains tightly contested, and the Yankees are still weathering injuries across the roster. Giancarlo Stanton is expected to be activated during the series, adding another layer of intrigue to Boone’s lineup decisions.
The Yankees didn’t just win a game Thursday night — they made history in the margins. A bizarre play, an unearned run, and a 1–0 win. Add in a rookie’s rise and another lights-out bullpen performance, and it’s clear: New York isn’t just surviving — they’re setting records doing it.
In a season full of unexpected moments, this game may be remembered as the one that perfectly captured how the 2025 Yankees win — one run, one pitch, and one grind-it-out inning at a time.
Warren and his teammates have proven that unexpected contributors can emerge when teams need them most.
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