Yankees Take 2 of 3 vs. Guardians

After coming back from their disappointing series in Los Angeles, the Yankees came home to face the Cleveland Guardians, and the rotten news that their closer, Luke Weaver, will be on the Injured List, probably until the All-Star Break.

Carlos Rodón started on Tuesday night. He pitched like he didn't trust a Weaver-less bullpen, going 7 innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 1 walk. DJ LeMahieu singled a run home in the 5th inning, and the 7th inning began with home runs by Jazz Chisholm and Anthony Volpe. Mark Leither Jr. pitched a scoreless 8th.

So Aaron Boone handed the ball, and a 3-1 lead, to Devin Williams for the 9th. He got the 1st out. Then he allowed a double. Then he got a strikeout. Then he allowed an RBI double. It was 3-2, and I'm having Aroldis Chapman, Boone Longa, Kyle Farnsworth and Scott Proctor flashbacks. But Williams got the last out. Yankees 3, Guardians 2.

Clarke Schmidt started on Wednesday night, and didn't have much. He also didn't get much. Aaron Judge and Ben Rice each had 2 hits, Cody Bellinger 1, and that was it. Guardians 4, Yankees 0.

So Wednesday night's game felt like a must-win. Max Fried sure pitched like it: He bounced back from his one bad start of the season so far with 6 shutout innings, allowing 1 hit and 2 walks, with 7 strikeouts.

Bellinger hit a 2-run home run in the 4th inning. He also singled home a run in the 8th, followed by an RBI single by Chisholm. Leiter got into trouble in the 7th, but Tim Hill got out of it, and pitched a perfect 8th. Jonathan Loáisiga pitched a perfect 9th. Yankees 4, Guardians 0.

The Yankees lead the American League Eastern Division, over the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays by 5 1/2 games, the Boston Red Sox by 9 1/2, and the Baltimore Orioles by 13.

Now, the hated Red Sox come in to Yankee Stadium II for a 3-game weekend series. Then, the Yankees go on the road, first to play the Kansas City Royals, then to Boston to play the Red Sox. So, 6 of the next 9 are against the ancient rivals.

Here are the times, TV coverage, and listed pitching matchups for the Yanks-Sox series that begins tonight:

* Tonight, 1st pitch at 7:05, on YES: Will Warren vs. Walker Buehler.

* Tomorrow, 7:35, on Fox: Ryan Yarbrough vs. Garret Crochet.

* Sunday, 7:10, on ESPN: Carlos Rodón vs. Hunter Dobbins.

Come on you Pinstripes! Beat The Scum!