Anthony Rizzo’s first-inning three-run homer propelled the New York Yankees to a 4-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night, bringing the team back into a tie for first place with the Baltimore Orioles atop the AL East.
Rizzo, who struggled with power at the end of the 2022 season and beginning of 2023, has now hit two homers in his last 15 games after going 77 games without one. The Yankees held onto their lead thanks to strong performances from their relievers, who combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings to protect a one-run advantage.
The win puts the Yankees on an even footing with the Orioles, who have played one less game, as the two teams continue their pursuit of the division title.
The game was played on a cold and windy night at Yankee Stadium, with the temperature dipping into the high 40s by the middle innings and an 18-mph wind blowing.
Yankees starter Marcus Stroman pitched into the sixth inning before leaving with one out and the tying run on base. The righty struck out eight, but allowed a first-inning run and two solo homers.
Following Stroman, four Yankees relievers combined to protect a one-run lead. Ron Marinaccio and Caleb Ferguson got three outs apiece, Dennis Santana got the final two in the eighth, and Clay Holmes pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts to keep his ERA at a perfect 0.00 and lock up his ninth save in 10 tries.
Down 1-0 right away, the Yankees teed off on A’s starter Paul Blackburn. An RBI double by Aaron Judge tied the game, and the Yankees went up 4-1 on Rizzo’s homer, his first in 15 games and second of the season.
Judge, who entered the night hitting .174, looked better at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a ground double to left and a sixth-inning flyout to the right-center warning track on a ball he hit 104 mph. He also made a nice running catch in left-center for the final out of a 1-2-3 eighth.
Blackburn pitched a good game after being lit up for four in the first inning, and he allowed just one more baserunner while ending his night with five scoreless innings. The righty retired the last 13 batters that he faced and 17 of the 18.
The Yankees and Athletics will face off again on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.
