No need for nail-biting! Yanks' early outburst holds up in laugher

NEW YORK – The Yankees have spent most of their season living on the edge, leading the Majors in contests decided by two runs or fewer. It’s been a steady diet of nail-biters, prompting manager Aaron Boone to remark that “nothing comes easy” for his club.

They were due for a breather, and they got one. Cody Bellinger homered twice and drove in five runs, while Ben Rice and Amed Rosario also went deep to support Will Warren’s sharp effort in a 13-4 victory over the Royals on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

“These are nice, for sure,” Bellinger said. “We’ve had a few close ones recently; had a crazy series against the Angels. Will did a great job of just doing what he does, and for us to get a few runs on the board, that was big for us.”

Including the postseason, the Yankees have defeated Kansas City in 10 straight games (since Oct. 9, 2024), winning 12 of their last 13.

“We got a really outstanding start, and for the bats to do that with multiple contributions up and down the lineup -- that was good to see,” Boone said. “It made for a good day for us.”

Fourteen of the Yankees’ first 20 games were decided by two or fewer runs, but Warren enjoyed a low-stress outing, coasting after being backed by a five-run third inning.

Warren matched his career high with 11 strikeouts over seven frames, allowing two runs on five hits without issuing a walk. The Royals didn’t break through until Carter Jensen’s two-run homer in the seventh.

“It’s nice to go out there with a lead,” Warren said. “You’re not worried about giving up one or two. I’m able to keep my composure knowing that the boys are banging that day.”

The Yankees entered the day having lost four of six games against left-handed starters, with another looming Sunday in Cole Ragans and more on deck in Boston.

Considering that forecast, this was encouraging. They pounced on Noah Cameron in a five-run third, with Rosario, Bellinger and Rice all going deep.

“A lot of good swings up and down the lineup, against a tough lefty,” Boone said. “It was good to see the bats really break out like that.”

Bellinger produced strong numbers last season against lefties (.353/.415/.601), projectable production that was part of the appeal in re-signing him to a five-year, $162 million contract. He’d been quiet in those matchups (3-for-17) this year, but broke through Saturday.

“Even going through the Minor Leagues, I don’t want to age myself, but no one talked about lefty-lefty matchups,” Bellinger said. “I never heard of it. It’s just another pitcher. You’ve got to have your plan and just continue putting your swing on the ball. I don’t think there’s a magic trick to it. I really don’t.”

Bellinger connected for a two-run shot in the third, added an RBI single in the fourth, then hit a two-run homer off Mitch Spence in the sixth.

“I was joking with him -- he’d hit one homer in two months since the start of the spring, and then two in an hour,” Boone said. “It’s a funny game.”

J.C. Escarra helped spark the offense in the third inning, his deep fly ball turning into a three-base error when it popped out of Jac Caglianone’s glove after a collision with center fielder Kyle Isbel.

“I thought it was over the fence, to be honest,” Escarra said. “I got that pretty well.”

It was initially ruled a triple and changed, but Escarra got his extra-base hits later. He added a run-scoring double in the fourth and a two-run triple in the seventh.

“I’m glad I was able to hit some balls hard,” Escarra said. “We took advantage; the homers were great, but we took advantage of walks and extra bases. That shows what we can do.”

The lopsided score was a welcome change for a club that had been grinding.

Each of the Yankees’ last three victories were powered by their final turns at bat; Ryan McMahon’s go-ahead homer on Friday evening, plus two walk-off wins against the Angels earlier in the week.

“We’re a talented team that can win in many different ways,” Bellinger said. “Obviously, these games are more ideal, right? But I like where we’re at. We’re feeling good, we’ve got a lot of baseball left, and we’re just going to keep on rolling.”