McMahon go-ahead – Ryan McMahon drove in the winning run with a go-ahead single in the seventh inning as the New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 on Thursday, salvaging the finale of a three-game series Aaron Judge missed with a bruised right rib.
NEW YORK — Ryan McMahon’s go-ahead RBI single in the seventh didn’t just break the tie. It snapped a sweep threat the Yankees were desperate to escape on a night when Aaron Judge wasn’t even in the lineup.
New York scored twice and hung on to beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 on Thursday. winning for the seventh time in 10 games. The tension before first pitch was unmistakable: Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the club was waiting on an update on Judge. who has a bruised rib on his right side that is causing shoulder pain.
The Guardians struck first, but the Yankees answered in the fourth. Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a tying sacrifice fly and then made his presence felt early in the decisive rally. In the seventh, Chisholm started the inning with a one-out walk from Codi Heuer (0-1). He stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch during consecutive pitches. McMahon then delivered the key swing, singling and scoring Chisholm to put New York ahead.
Carlos Rodón gave the bullpen a chance to do its job. He allowed one run and two hits in six innings, finishing with seven strikeouts and three walks. Chad Fairchild also made a mark offensively, delivering an RBI single in the fourth.
Brett Headrick (4-1) handled the seventh inning, and Fernando Cruz tossed a perfect eighth. David Bednar closed the door with three groundouts for his 13th save in 15 chances.
On the other side, Cleveland’s Slade Cecconi kept New York in check through six innings, allowing one run and four hits.
While the Yankees celebrated the outcome. the night also delivered a glimpse of what life looks like without Judge for at least this game. Max Schuemann started in Judge’s place in right field and made two standout plays in his first career start there. In the second, he charged in for a diving catch on Steven Kwan’s sinking liner. Five innings later, Schuemann made a leaping catch on Brayan Rocchio in front of the fence.
Cleveland still had its next piece set. The Guardians’ Parker Messick (6-1, 2.21 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Kumar Rocker (2-5, 3.54) in the opener of a three-game series at Texas on Friday.
The Yankees turn to their own follow-up as LHP Ryan Weathers (2-3, 3.52) faces RHP Sonny Gray (6-1, 3.06) in the opener of a three-game series against visiting Boston on Friday.
New York Yankees Cleveland Guardians Ryan McMahon Aaron Judge Carlos Rodón Jazz Chisholm Jr. MLB Bednar Cruz Chisholm sacrifice fly