The New York Yankees concluded their three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, winning two of the three games. The Yankees displayed a powerful offense, totaling 14 runs in their two consecutive victories. They ended the series with a commanding 6–0 win on Thursday, led by ace Gerrit Cole on the mound.
Gerrit Cole Shines for the Yankees
Cole has been outstanding in his recent starts. Although he walked five batters in Thursday’s win, he still pitched six scoreless innings and struck out two. Over his last three outings, Cole has allowed just three runs in 17 innings, posting a 1.59 ERA for August. It appears the Yankees have their ace performing at peak form as the postseason approaches with September just around the corner.
Offensive Firepower from the Yankees’ Middle Order
Offensively, the Yankees tallied six hits and received significant contributions from the middle of their lineup. Aaron Judge hit his 48th home run of the season, which puts him on track for 61, and drove in two runs. Giancarlo Stanton added a three-run homer in the fifth inning, launching the ball 417 feet to center field.
Alongside these power performances, Austin Wells added an RBI, and Anthony Volpe contributed with a hit and two walks, boosting his on-base percentage to .303, surpassing the 30% mark.
Bullpen Delivers a Strong Performance
The bullpen delivered a strong performance, with Tim Hill, Luke Weaver, and Michael Tonkin combining for three hitless innings and striking out four batters. However, despite the solid pitching effort, starting left fielder Alex Verdugo continued his slump, failing to reach base and going hitless for the fourth consecutive game.
A Call for Change: Jasson Dominguez’s Potential Promotion
The Yankees may need to consider permanently promoting Jasson Dominguez in September to provide an offensive boost in left field. Alex Verdugo, who is having one of his poorest seasons as a professional during a contract year, has struggled significantly. Meanwhile, second baseman Gleyber Torres has been performing well, contributing a hit and two walks from the leadoff spot on Thursday, and making a crucial defensive double play to neutralize any threats from Cleveland.
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