BRONX, NY — Future Cooperstown Hall of Famer Mike Trout departed the Bronx Thursday as the Yankees were not able to keep him in check, hitting five home runs for the Angels in a four-game series, which resulted in a split at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees have not been dominating yet they have kept themselves in ballgames in mid April.
Friday night in the Bronx were the Kansas City Royals on the visiting side with another All-Star—Bobby Witt Jr. His and Salvador Perez’s team, a Royals roster that will play to the last pitch, arrived after a walk-off defeat in Detroit the night before.
They almost had this one, that is until Yankees manager Aaron Boone went to his bench and Ryan McMahon got his first extra-base hit of 2026 with a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning. The Yankees opened the first of a three-game weekend series with a 4-2 win.
McMahon, a defensive All-Star at third base, is important for the Yankees, but has struggled to get hits and more often than once, strikeouts have become the common result. McMahon, though, had the final say in this one with an opposite field shot that went beyond the wall off a changeup.
The sixth hit of the season for the 31-year-old left-handed hitter, perhaps the spark that often happens in baseball after a huge hit leads to a win. He was not in the starting lineup Friday facing a right-hander in Kansas City’s Michael Wacha.
But, guess again—McMahon hit this one off a righty.
A spark the Yankees also needed after losing two of four games to the Angels earlier this week that could have been wins. The Yankees have been struggling against left-handed pitching and their bullpen is not guaranteed to secure a win unless an influx of runs are scored.
Yet with that, as Boone proved to have a plan, McMahon was in the place of right-handed hitter Amed Rosario for the hopeful big hit late in the game Friday night.
He got hold of the right pitch and at the proper time. The Yankees need this offensive production from McMahon who can provide 20 home runs to a lineup that led baseball hitting balls out of the yard last season. It’s more than a run it back type of campaign for these Yankees, and it doesn’t always have to be the home run threat from Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton who have homered 61 times when together in the lineup.
If the Yankees get performances from their lineup outside of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, they will be in a great spot for the AL East title with those two bound to produce together throughout 162 – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
“Six out of seven innings, I was in there taking swings,” said McMahon, who Boone said would not be starting the next five or six games with left-handers facing the Yankees.
“It’s been tough. I love this game. I love doing this with these guys. The goal is to win a World Series and you want to be somebody who helps out.”
McMahon rounded the bases and waved his hands after his big hit as the Yankees stationed in the dugout were even more excited for their teammate who has been patient and persistent about getting his All-Star swing back to form.
“He’s had success in this league for a while so he knows he’s capable,” said Boone. “But when you’re going through it, it can be tough. He’s been working really hard and knows he hasn’t had the results but we do feel like he’s moved the needle this last week with what he’s working on.”
Ryan McMahon saluting the Yankee Stadium crowd earlier on this season as the fans gave him a roll call in the first inning – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
It’s part of the Yankees to stay with a struggling player, one like McMahon who they acquired at the MLB trade deadline from the Rockies last July.
As Boone said the game is a grind, the best will struggle. Even the All-Stars. And the Yankees have that All-Star lineup, though questions continue regarding the bottom of their order batting below the Mendoza line.
Regardless, this was a Yankees win and one that was earned to move them to 11-9. Starter Cam Schlitter, with an unearned run in six plus innings, and Camilo Doval giving up the slim lead by surrendering a game-tying home run to Vinnie Pasquantino.
But David Bednar got the final three Royals and earned his sixth save when it was all said and done.
David Bednar closed the door on the Royals Friday night in the Bronx to record his sixth save of the season – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
McMahon said the moment celebrating with his team in the clubhouse was more fun, of course a big time home run and hit is always reason to celebrate. But the Yankees need this home run from McMahon and another two-run homer from Ben Rice Friday night to lead to more significant moments.
Their goal is getting that big one in late October.
It’s a grind for sure. But one big hit and late game move from the manager could result in the game-changer.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X:@Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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