The Yankees have a history of playing close games in the first half of doubleheaders on Saturday, as evidenced by the first-half walk-off victory over the Guardians with their bullpen walking a tightrope.
But in the nightcap, they put the car on cruise control.
Following an incredible two-run home run by Oswaldo Cabrera to lead them to an 8-2 victory in Game 2, the Yankees swept the doubleheader at Progressive Field thanks to early and frequent scoring in the second game and a strong start by right-hander Cody Poteet.
The Yankees moved to 12-3, tying the greatest start in franchise history through 15 games, with the sweep of the Guardians (9-5).
Six other times have they done it, the most recent being in 2003.
Additionally, they won a series for the third time in team history after winning five in a row to start the year.
After Jon Berti was placed on the injured list, Cabrera finished off another excellent day at the plate with an RBI double in the fifth inning. Juan Soto had helped blow the nightcap open with a three-run home run in the fourth inning.
Poteet, who was called up from Triple-A as the 27th man for his first big league action since July 16, 2022—one month before he had Tommy John surgery—had more than enough offense.
The Yankees signed the 29-year-old right-hander to a major league contract in January, and he immediately put up six solid innings of one-run work, walking none and striking out four.
Former Yankee Estevan Florial broke up Poteet’s shutout in the fifth inning with a solo home run. Florial struck out in the ninth inning of Game 1 after looking at a 3-2 pitch out of the zone from Clay Holmes.
However, the Guardians were only able to extract so much from him.
With a 2-0 lead against Triston McKenzie, the Yankees set the tone for the game by getting to base three times through walks, once through hits, and once via a fielder’s choice after an error.
Anthony Volpe then continued to burn it down in the leadoff spot in the fourth inning, hitting an RBI single up the middle with two outs and two on.
That continued the inning for Soto, who scored three more to make it 6-0 after getting the go-ahead on a 3-0 count.
Be the first to comment