Introduction to the Game
Ryan Yarbrough limited baseball’s best offense to four hits over six innings, Ben Rice hit a tiebreaking two-run homer and the New York Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-3 on Sunday to avoid getting swept for the first time this season.
Game Summary
The Dodgers outscored the Yankees 26-7 in winning the first two games of their World Series rematch, including an 18-2 rout Saturday. But right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the stalwart on a staff ravaged by injuries, labored from the start in front of 54,031, the largest crowd of the season at Dodger Stadium.
Yarbrough’s Performance
Yarbrough (3-0) allowed one run and struck out five in his fifth start of the year. He was a reliever for the Dodgers last season and received his World Series ring while in town.
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 30: New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (33) looks on after receiving his World Series ring before the MLB game between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 30, 2025 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Yamamoto’s Struggles
Yamamoto (6-4) gave up a season-high seven hits while striking out two in 3 2/3 innings, both season lows. The Japanese right-hander permitted four runs and walked three.
Notable Performances
New York’s DJ LeMahieu had his first four-hit game since 2021. The Yankees led 1-0 on Jasson Domínguez’s RBI single in the first. Left fielder Andy Pages’ throw sailed over the head of catcher Will Smith. Backing up Smith, Yamamoto made a pinpoint throw to second, but Kiké Hernández dropped the ball and Domínguez was safe. Domínguez later left the game with a bruised left thumb.
Game Turning Points
Tommy Edman tied the game with a two-out homer in the second. After that, Yarbrough retired 13 of his next 15 batters. Pages and Max Muncy homered in the seventh. The Yankees took a 4-1 lead in the third. Rice’s 425-foot homer to center field scored Aaron Judge, who walked. Anthony Volpe singled, went to third on Austin Wells’ single and scored on Yamamoto’s wild pitch.
Yankees Extend Lead
They extended the lead to 6-1 in the fifth on RBI singles by LeMahieu and Oswald Peraza off Lou Trivino. LeMahieu’s RBI double made it 7-3 in the ninth.
Key Moment
Judge and Shohei Ohtani were hitless after becoming the first reigning MVPs in major league history to homer in the first inning of a game on Friday. Judge was 0 for 4 with a walk and two strikeouts as the only Yankees player to go hitless. Ohtani went 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Key Stats
The Yankees are 4-0 this season when facing a series sweep, having beaten Arizona, Detroit, Cleveland and the Dodgers. They’re also one of three teams that hasn’t been swept in a series of at least two games. … It was the first time this season the Dodgers’ top four hitters went hitless: Ohtani, Teoscar Hernández, Freddie Freeman and Smith.
Up Next
After an off day, Yankees LHP Carlos Rodón (7-3, 2.60 ERA) starts Tuesday against Cleveland. Dodgers RHP Dustin May (3-4, 4.20) pitches Monday night against the New York Mets.
Conclusion
The Yankees’ win marked a significant turning point in the series, as they avoided being swept by the Dodgers. Yarbrough’s performance was a key factor in the team’s success, and his ability to limit the Dodgers’ offense to just four hits over six innings was impressive. The Yankees will look to build on this momentum as they head into their next series.
FAQs
Q: Who was the starting pitcher for the Yankees in the game against the Dodgers?
A: Ryan Yarbrough was the starting pitcher for the Yankees.
Q: How many hits did Yarbrough allow in
