Yankees out-duel Angels for series sweep heading into showdown vs. Dodgers
Share and Follow

Before the Yankees even started playing at Angel Stadium, Aaron Boone was asked about the upcoming important series against the Dodgers this weekend.

“I’m looking out at the Angels right now, so that’s where my mind’s at,” Boone said Monday afternoon in the visiting dugout.

With the Angels now swept out of the way, the attention can fully turn to the World Series rematch.

The Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the Angels with a 1-0 victory at Angel Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to another impressive starting pitching performance by Clarke Schmidt.

Schmidt delivered six scoreless innings, allowing only four hits and one walk while striking out five batters. This win extended the Yankees’ winning streak to five games as they prepare to face the Dodgers in a series starting on Friday.

In relief of Schmidt, Ian Hamilton (1 ²/₃ innings) and Tim Hill bridged the gap to the ninth for Mark Leiter Jr. — on a night when Luke Weaver and Devin Williams both appeared to be unavailable — who delivered his second save of the season with a pair of strikeouts.

Between Schmidt, Carlos Rodón and Ryan Yarbrough, Yankees starters in this series combined to pitch 19 innings in which they allowed just one run on 11 hits and two walks with 21 strikeouts.

Part of that might be attributed to the state of the Mike Trout-less Angels (25-30), though they had won seven straight — including a sweep of the Dodgers — shortly before this series.



But it is also more encouraging results for the Yankees rotation, which has now posted an MLB-best 2.54 ERA over its last 40 starts.

They have allowed one or zero earned runs in 22 of those starts, including nine of their last 13.

Schmidt was coming off an ineffective start against the Rockies his last time out on Friday, in which he was somewhat handcuffed by the high altitude altering his pitches.

But for the most part he was sharper on Wednesday, retiring 15 of the final 16 batters he faced.

The Angels took the bat out of Aaron Judge’s hands in each of his first two plate appearances, one of which led to the Yankees’ only run of the night.

The first came after Paul Goldschmidt led off the game with a hustle double and Trent Grisham struck out, leaving first base open with one out.

Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi followed by walking Cody Bellinger on five pitches to load the bases for Anthony Volpe, who delivered a sacrifice fly for the 1-0 lead.

The Yankees later reloaded the bases with two outs, but DJ LeMahieu flew out to center to end the threat — though they did force Kikuchi to throw 27 pitches.

In the second inning, the Yankees were rallying again with runners on second and third and two outs when Ron Washington flashed four fingers as Judge walked to the plate.

This time it worked out perfectly as Bellinger flew out to leave the bases loaded.

Before Judge came to the plate for his third at-bat leading off the fifth inning, he tipped his cap to Washington, who did not respond by putting up four fingers. Instead, Judge flew out.

The Angels pitched to Judge again in the seventh inning with two outs and a man on first, which ended with Ryan Zeferjahn getting him looking on a called third strike.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Eggs unshelled: The healthiest ways to eat eggs, from fried to poached

Crack the Code: Discover the Healthiest Ways to Enjoy Eggs, From Frying to Poaching

In the UK, eggs are beloved in all their forms, whether scrambled,…
Body found in search for Texas teen who vanished on a Christmas walk

Tragic Discovery: Body Found in Search for Missing Texas Teen Who Disappeared on Christmas Walk

A tragic development has emerged in the search for a missing Texas…
'Truth nuke' explodes on CNN as Somali scandal sparks new GOP demand

Explosive Somali Scandal Ignites GOP Fury: CNN Uncovers New Political Firestorm

The controversy surrounding Somali immigrants allegedly defrauding the state of Minnesota remains…
GIF of bear crawling in and out of crawl space.

Persistent Bear Evades Capture: California Homeowners Stumped by Weeks-Long Removal Battle

A trap intended for capturing a 550-pound bear residing beneath a home…
Woke city hires MURDERER who killed girl to its police review board

Controversy Erupts as City Appoints Convicted Murderer to Police Oversight Board

The decision to reinstate a convicted murderer to a city’s police review…
Heiress claims murder of Dem lawmaker is linked to Somali fraud scheme

Heiress Alleges Connection Between Murder of Democratic Lawmaker and Somali Fraud Scheme

A Minnesota state senator has criticized actress and socialite Sara Foster for…
I was a California girl forced into Saudi Arabian servitude

California Woman Recounts Harrowing Experience of Forced Servitude in Saudi Arabia

Elise Martin had just celebrated her 20th birthday. To fellow shoppers at…
Stefon Diggs charged with strangulation, assault in NFL shocker

Stefon Diggs Faces Serious Charges: NFL Star in Strangulation and Assault Scandal

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs faces serious legal charges, including…