Yankees 4-3 Royals (September 11, 2024) Match Report

NEW YORK — Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a game-winning infield single with one out in the 11th inning and the New York Yankees defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Wednesday night.

Juan Soto hit a home run in the sixth inning to give the Yankees the lead, extending their lead in the AL East to 1 1/2 games over Baltimore. New York has held the lead since Aug. 21, but has never been ahead by more than two games during that time.

Just before Chisholm came through, the Orioles lost 5-3 in 10 innings at Fenway Park when Tyler O'Neill hit a walk-off home run for Boston.

Chisholm entered the game with runners on first and third base after Kris Bubic (0-1) intentionally walked Aaron Judge after a groundout by Soto that sent automatic runner Jon Berti from second to third base.

When the infield came back into play, Judge moved to second base due to a lack of defense and Chisolm hit a 2-1 slider to shortstop. Bobby Witt Jr. stopped a dive with his backhand, but an unbalanced throw from his knees missed the base. Berti, who was playing as a pinch runner, scored easily with a head-first slide.

“Honestly, I was looking for a pitch that I could get through a gap or into the outfield to score somebody on third base,” Chisholm said. “I was willing to pass the baton if I didn't get a pitch to hit.”

Chisholm was batting fourth for the second time since being signed by the Miami Marlins on July 27. It was his first career walk-off hit, and in celebration, he was doused with water while being mobbed by teammates near second base.

Luke Weaver (5-3) managed three strikeouts in 1 2/3 hitless innings and took the win.

New York won two of three games in a series between playoff contenders. Kansas City fell 4 1/2 games behind first-place Cleveland in the AL Central but holds the league's second wild card, 1 1/2 games ahead of Minnesota.

“This is an important series win for us against a really good club there that has faced us with a lot of good pitchers,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone.

The teams traded runs in the 10th inning. Royals pinch-runner Darion Blanco stole third base and scored on Jake Cousins' wild pitch. In the second period, pinch-hitter Austin Wells tied the game with a sacrifice fly.

“It was an exciting game,” said Royals manager Matt Quatraro. “It was close. The pitching was good on both sides.”

Soto hit a two-run homer off Cole Ragan to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead, two pitches after fouling a ball to his right ankle in the sixth inning. The batter doubled over in pain but stayed in the game after being examined by head trainer Tim Lentych. Soto fouled off another pitch before sending a 402-footer into right field.

“You get really mad when you hit yourself,” Soto said. “That's just how it goes. I'm not mad at the pitcher or anything. Just mad at myself, but when you get through it like that, it's just a little bit of a relief.”

Soto said he felt the pain when he hit a home run, but he felt better after the game.

“He’s pretty good at this theatrical stuff here,” Boone said.

Salvador Perez tied the game with a sacrifice fly against Clay Holmes in the seventh inning and then started an impressive double play to end the bottom half.

With runners on first and second base, Jose Trevino hit a high chopper to the first baseman and Perez just managed to touch Trevino on the back of his jersey. Perez then quickly turned around and threw it to catcher Freddy Fermin with a strong throw, stopping Anthony Volpe at the plate.

Kansas City initially challenged the safe call, but it was overturned after a brief re-examination.

Ragans allowed two runs and three hits in six innings. He had seven strikeouts, overtaking Detroit left-hander Tarik Skubal for the American League lead in strikeouts.

“I don't think they're better than us,” Ragans said. “We believe in ourselves. I think we're a good team. We're a playoff team. They're a good team, they're a playoff team. It's a good matchup, it's been three good games.”

Yankees rookie Luis Gil allowed one run and five hits in five innings in his second start after spending time on the injured list with a back injury.

Michael Massey hit a home run in the fourth inning against Gil, who retired MJ Melendez with two strikeouts in the bottom of the fifth inning.

TRAINING ROOM

Royals: RHP Michael Lorenzen (left hamstring strain) will make his next minor league rehab start this weekend and could return to the rotation next week. Lorenzen threw 38 pitches in 1 2/3 shaky innings for Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday night and felt good afterward, Quatraro said.

Next

Royals: Have not yet announced a starter for the opener of a three-game series at Pittsburgh on Friday. RHP Luis Ortiz (6-5, 3.26 ERA) will pitch for the Pirates.

Yankees: LHP Nestor Cortes (9-10, 3.97 ERA) will face Boston RHP Cooper Criswell (6-4, 4.11) in the opener of a four-game series on Thursday night.

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