The Kansas City Royals dealt a significant blow to the New York Yankees’ playoff hopes with a 4-2 victory on Monday, leveling their best-of-five American League Division Series (ALDS) at 1-1. The Royals, who narrowly lost 6-5 in the series opener, bounced back with a decisive four-run fourth inning at Yankee Stadium.
Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton gave his team an early lead, driving in Gleyber Torres in the third inning. However, the Royals capitalized on a shaky start by New York pitcher Carlos Rodon, with Salvador Perez hitting a solo homer to tie the game, followed by RBI hits from Tommy Pham, Garrett Hampson, and Maikel Garcia. Rodon was pulled shortly after, and the Yankees were unable to recover.
In the ninth inning, Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered for the Yankees to close the gap to 4-2, but Royals closer Lucas Erceg secured the final outs, ensuring the series heads to Kansas City tied 1-1. Game three will take place on Wednesday.
Tigers Rally Late to Stun Guardians
In another ALDS showdown, the Detroit Tigers snatched a dramatic 3-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians, thanks to a ninth-inning three-run homer by Kerry Carpenter. Carpenter’s 423-foot blast came off Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, breaking a tense pitchers’ duel that had kept the game scoreless.
Detroit’s starter, Tarik Skubal, delivered a stellar performance, pitching seven shutout innings with just three hits allowed. Carpenter’s heroics ensured the Tigers leveled the series after being shut out 7-0 in game one. The series now shifts to Detroit for game three on Wednesday, with both teams aiming for a pivotal victory in the ALDS.
