The New York Yankees belted four home runs, including two by Matt Carpenter, to support a strong pitching performance by Gerrit Cole in their 13-4 victory over the host Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of a doubleheader Saturday.
Cole (7-2) pitched six innings and allowed three hits, two runs and three walks. The right-hander, making his 250th career start, struck out six batters.
The veteran had allowed just one home run in his previous three starts combined. However, he surrendered back-to-back homers to Josh Naylor and Franmil Reyes in the second inning for the only runs he allowed.
D.J. LeMahieu lined his eighth home run with one out in the third to pull New York within one run, 2-1.
Following the LeMahieu homer, losing pitcher Kirk McCarty (0-2) issued back-to-back walks that turned into runs. With two outs, Miguel Andujar hit an RBI single and Aaron Hicks stroked a two-run single for a 4-2 advantage.
Carpenter drilled a two-run homer in the sixth and a solo shot in the ninth. He was 3-for-5 with two runs and four RBIs.
Gleyber Torres added a two-run single in the sixth, which capped the Yankees’ second four-run inning of the runaway win.
Torres was 3-for-4 and drove in his third run with a fielder’s choice in the eighth.
LeMahieu and Hicks each had two hits.
For the Guardians, McCarty pitched five innings and allowed six hits, four runs, four walks and struck out three. The left-hander looked more at ease in his second major-league start. He was recalled as the 27th man for the doubleheader and is expected to be sent back to Triple-A Columbus.
Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman, activated Friday off the injured list after a bout with left Achilles tendinitis, came out to pitch the seventh and struggled in his first outing since May 24. Chapman walked the bases loaded and didn’t retire a batter. He was replaced by Ron Marinaccio, and the Guardians scored a pair.
Infielder Ernie Clement pitched the ninth inning for the Guardians and allowed home runs to Carpenter and Jose Trevino.
–Field Level Media