Yankees Take Game 3 Against Royals, Eye ALCS Spot
In a thrilling showdown at Kauffman Stadium, the New York Yankees edged past the Kansas City Royals 3-2 in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday night. Giancarlo Stanton emerged as the star of the match, hitting a pivotal go-ahead homer in the eighth inning, propelling the Yankees closer to the American League Championship Series.
Stanton’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He garnered three hits, drove in two runs, and even made a splash on the base paths with his first stolen base in four years. His eighth-inning home run, a powerful shot that traveled nearly 420 feet to left, came off Royals reliever Kris Bubic, making it a game-changer as the Yankees sought to maintain their postseason momentum.
The Royals put up a valiant effort, counting on a bullpen that used four relievers throughout the game. However, despite a late-game rally that included Bobby Witt Jr.’s first hit of the series and a two-out single from Salvador Perez, the Royals couldn’t capitalize. Yankees reliever Luke Weaver, who pitched a crucial 4 1/3 scoreless innings, managed to escape the threat and secure the save.
Despite the Yankees’ victory, it was another struggling night for MVP frontrunner Aaron Judge. The star slugger went 0 for 4 with a walk, leaving him with a disappointing 1 for 11 average across three games against the Royals. However, the Yankees’ discipline at the plate helped their cause, as they managed to draw nine walks in the game, bringing their series total to 22.
Significantly, this game marked the first playoff action at Kauffman Stadium in over 3,268 days, a nostalgia-filled return since the Royals last faced the Mets in Game 2 of the 2015 World Series. The historic occasion was highlighted by former Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer throwing the first pitch and a star-studded crowd that included Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The Yankees had several promising chances earlier in the game against Royals starter Seth Lugo, who showcased his impressive range of pitches. Juan Soto nearly homered, hitting a deep fly that would have cleared the fence in most ballparks, while Judge’s line drive was snagged by Witt at short.
New York finally broke through in the fourth inning, with Stanton smashing a double that allowed Soto to score, although it could have been a different story had Witt delivered a more accurate relay. Torres increased the Yankees’ lead shortly after with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly, bringing Soto home once again.
The Royals struck back in the fifth inning, with Kyle Isbel and Michael Massey delivering key hits to bring in two runs. Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt allowed four hits and two runs over 4 2/3 innings, while Lugo managed five innings for Kansas City, permitting two hits and four walks.
As the teams prepare for Game 4, the Yankees will turn to ace Gerrit Cole, a six-time All-Star with an 8-5 record and a 3.41 ERA. The Royals will counter with RHP Michael Wacha, who seeks redemption after a rocky outing in the series opener.
With the stakes high and playoff intensity palpable, both teams aim for glory in this fiercely competitive AL Division Series.
