The New York Yankees continued their strong run with a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night, supported by a crucial three-run double from shortstop Anthony Volpe and a solid six-inning outing from left-hander Ryan Yarbrough. The win marked the Yankees’ ninth victory in their last 10 games and kept them firmly atop the American League East standings.
Before the game, oddsmakers listed the Yankees as slight favorites, with moneyline odds in the range of -125, while the Angels were underdogs at approximately +105. The over/under for total runs was set at 8.5, with most betting action leaning toward the under.
The Angels, who had surged back to a .500 record last week with an eight-game winning streak, saw their momentum stall as they dropped their third consecutive game. They got on the board early when shortstop Zach Neto launched a 440-foot leadoff home run to straightaway center field on Yarbrough’s sixth pitch. The home run, Neto’s fourth leadoff blast of the month, tied a franchise record for the most leadoff home runs in a single month.
However, that would be the only scoring Los Angeles managed. Yarbrough, in his fourth start since joining the Yankees’ rotation, responded by retiring 13 of the final 14 batters he faced. He allowed two hits and one run over six innings, striking out seven and walking none. The outing improved Yarbrough’s record to 2-0 and lowered his ERA in four starts with the Yankees to 2.25.
Los Angeles starter Jack Kochanowicz (3-6) was efficient through three innings, retiring the Yankees in order. But the fourth inning proved costly. After surrendering three straight singles, he issued a bases-loaded walk to Cody Bellinger before Volpe cleared the bases with a three-run double down the right-field line. That gave the Yankees a 4-1 lead they would not relinquish. Bellinger later added a second hit and scored on a sacrifice fly by Austin Wells in the eighth inning to make it 5-1.
Kochanowicz, despite the rough fourth inning, pitched into the seventh and finished with five hits allowed, four earned runs, one walk, and four strikeouts.
Angels newcomer Chris Taylor debuted in center field and drew attention with a sprinting catch in the ninth inning. Taylor, a former Dodgers utility player signed earlier in the day, was acquired to help bolster the Angels’ outfield amid injuries.
The series will continue Tuesday night with Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón (6-3, 2.88 ERA) scheduled to face Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson (2-1, 3.60 ERA). The Yankees will continue their dominance, while the Angels aim to regain the form that sparked their recent win streak.