Anthony Volpe delivered a three-run double during a pivotal fourth inning. Ryan Yarbrough allowed just two hits over six innings as the New York Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 on Monday night.
Cody Bellinger added two hits and an RBI for the Yankees, who have now won nine of their last 10 games.
Zach Neto provided the lone offense for the Angels with a leadoff home run — his fourth of the month — but the team couldn’t score again. The Angels have dropped three straight after briefly climbing back to .500 with an eight-game winning streak.
Yarbrough (2-0) continued his impressive stretch since joining New York’s rotation, striking out seven and retiring 13 of the final 14 batters he faced. He has now allowed just five runs across 20 innings in four starts this month.
Angels starter Jack Kochanowicz (3-6) was sharp early, retiring the first nine batters he faced. But a rough fourth inning, in which he gave up four hits and a walk, led to all four Yankee runs in the frame.
Neto’s 440-foot homer to center came on Yarbrough’s sixth pitch of the game — the longest of the shortstop’s career. He now has four leadoff homers in May, tying a club record.
Aaron Judge added a run in the eighth, scoring on Austin Wells’ sacrifice fly.
Veteran utilityman Chris Taylor made his Angels debut in center field after signing earlier in the day. He went 0-for-3 at the plate but made a sprinting grab in the ninth.
Key Moment
Kochanowicz looked dominant through three innings but stumbled in the fourth, giving up three consecutive singles and a walk before Volpe emptied the bases with a double to give the Yankees a commanding lead.
Key Stat
Volpe is now 3-for-9 with the bases loaded this season, driving in 10 runs in those situations.
Up Next
The series continues Tuesday with Yankees lefty Carlos Rodón (6-3, 2.88 ERA) facing off against Angels southpaw Tyler Anderson (2-1, 3.60 ERA).
