Yankees’ Ryan McMahon hits tiebreaking two-run HR in 8th to beat Royals

Ryan McMahon hit a tiebreaking two-out, two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals, 4-2, on Friday night at Yankee Stadium.

McMahon was an unlikely hero. He had been 5-for-42 (all singles) with 16 strikeouts and a .119/.260/.119 slash line.

With the score tied at 2-2 in the eighth, Ben Rice singled and McMahon lofted a changeup 372 feet to leftfield. The ball appeared to get a push from the wind as it cleared the fence.

Vinnie Pasquantino hit a tying homer off Camilo Doval with two outs in the top of the eighth and drove in both runs for the Royals (7-13), who have dropped five straight and eight of 10.

Rice also hit a two-run homer as the Yankees (11-9) won their ninth consecutive game against Kansas City, including a playoff series two years ago. The Yankees are 15-3 against the Royals since the start of 2024.

Hitters had been 0-for-19 this season against Michael Wacha’s changeup before Rice connected for his sixth homer. Wacha, who has a 1.00 ERA, allowed two runs in six innings.

Cam Schlittler allowed a run, which was unearned, and three hits in six innings in lowering his ERA to 1.95. 

David Bednar struck out two in a hitless ninth for his sixth save.