KANSAS CITY, Mo. – By the ninth inning, a Yankees win was all but conceded – though there was one semi-intriguing at-bat left.
Facing a Kansas City Royals’ infielder-turned-reliever, Jazz Chisholm Jr., well, he delivered.
Chisholm’s otherwise unimportant single to right was one for the record books, as each Yankees starter on Tuesday night had collected at least two hits at Kauffman Stadium.
“Just a ton of really good at-bats, and guys were hitting the ball out of the ballpark too,’’ manager Aaron Boone said after the Yankees’ 15-1 laugher, which included six home runs.
Cody Bellinger’s first inning homer might’ve been it for the Yanks, but it turned into a four-run frame – thanks to a successful replay challenge.
In retrospect, Yanks’ video coordinator Brett Weber might’ve been Tuesday’s MVP.
“Shout out to Webby back there, working his butt off to make sure we challenge the right plays,’’ said Ben Rice. “And that one proved to be super impactful for us.’’
It was Rice’s sinking liner that right fielder Jac Caglianone trapped (it was called a catch on the field, for the third out), resulting in an RBI single.
“I thought he caught it, to be honest,’’ Rice said.
That replay reversal led to Amed Rosario’s two-run homer, and the Yanks were off and running in a bullpen game for KC.
In his 11th start of the year, there was some hard contact early against Cam Schlittler.
But in six innings, the only run against him was a Bobby Witt Jr. home run, and he emerged with his MLB-best 1.50 ERA intact.
“Wasn’t as sharp, but I was able to put the team in a position to win,’’ said Schlittler. “Was able to grind through it, and the guys picked me up early.’’
And how.
Boone thought Schlittler was “OK…probably not his best stuff tonight, but you look up and it’s six innings of one-run baseball and really efficient.’’
Schlittler threw 77 pitches, and Boone said he was “probably going shorter’’ with him regardless, since he was coming off a pair of 106-pitch outings – his highest totals this year.
Gerrit Cole is set to pitch Wednesday’s series finale, and good luck getting odds against a Yankees’ sweep.
With their victory Tuesday, the Yanks have won 12 straight regular season games against the Royals, having a nightmare season – in a year where many (including yours truly) predicted a division title and a long October run.
“I think you’re going to look up in the summer and they’re going to be playing a lot better,’’ said Boone, referencing the Royals’ rotation and lineup talent.
As for the Yanks’ dominance vs. KC, “we’ve probably run into them at a good time, where we’ve had some good series at different points.’’
Maybe that’s overly kind. Maybe the Royals have a run coming in the AL Central. Either way, it’s hard to sugarcoat KC’s awful start to 2026.
Got to admit, I thought Jose Caballero should’ve started at third base again, keeping that Anthony Volpe-Cabby dynamic in place after Monday’s 4-3 win, where they combined for three RBI.
But Rosario hadn’t started since May 18, and with a lefty “opener’’ in Bailey Falter going, Rosario got the start at third and clubbed two homers – the last coming against an infielder, Tyler Tolbert, in the ninth.
“Just trying not to strike out,’’ Rosario said through an interpreter of his AB vs. the lob-tossing Tolbert, adding that it was “great to be part of Yankee history’’ Tuesday. “It’s a team effort.’’
The consummate pro, Rosario did not surprise his manager with a four-hit game Tuesday.
“That’s why he’s here, to have those big at-bats, especially against left-handed pitching,’’ said Boone, who loves Rosario’s pregame work, whether he’s in the lineup or not. “He’s just really, always prepared.’’
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees takeaways from Tuesday night’s historic win at Kansas City
