In the seventh inning, with the Los Angeles Angels threatening on second base—their first runner since the third inning—Carlos Rodón faced a challenging moment as he reached 100 pitches. Yankees manager Aaron Boone approached the mound, prepared to bring in a reliever, but Rodón confidently signaled he was ready to continue. Within five pitches, Rodón struck out his tenth batter, delivering a 96 mph fastball on the inside corner that left the hitter frozen in place.
A Career-Best Start for Rodón with the Yankees
Many are calling this outing Carlos Rodón’s finest since joining the Yankees. Max Mannis, lead researcher for Jomboy Media, praised Rodón’s performance on social media, stating,
“My favorite start of Carlos Rodon’s Yankee career. That was a delight from start to finish.”
Rodón’s dominant display helped lead New York to a 3-2 victory at Angel Stadium, pitching seven innings without surrendering a run, allowing only five hits, and walking none.
This win marked the Yankees’ 15th triumph in their last 19 games, powered by solo home runs from Ben Rice and Oswald Peraza, as well as an RBI single from Anthony Volpe. Rodón’s effort lowered his earned run average (ERA) to 2.60 over 12 starts this season, further solidifying his place near the top of New York’s Gerrit Cole-less rotation.
Exceptional Defense and Key Plays Behind the Mound
Rodón’s contributions extended beyond pitching. In the fourth inning, with two outs, Jo Adell hit a ground ball toward the left side of the mound. Rodón, leveraging his 6-foot-2, 255-pound frame, quickly reacted by making a remarkable jump throw—spinning and leaping to complete a one-hop toss to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, catching Adell off guard. This athletic move drew comparisons to legendary Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, known for executing jump throws in similar situations. After completing his outing, Rodón was warmly celebrated by his teammates as the bench erupted in applause.
Mastering Early Challenges and Maintaining Control
Rodón faced traffic early on, allowing a single in the first inning, a double in the second, and two more singles in the third. Despite the early baserunners, he skillfully left all three stranded and gradually gained full control, retiring thirteen consecutive batters through the seventh inning. Jo Adell’s two-out hit in the seventh was the first sign of the Angels threatening again, prompting Boone’s mound visit, but the manager quickly returned to the dugout as Rodón maintained his composure and command.
Implications for the Yankees Moving Forward
Building on this performance, the Yankees are poised to attempt a series sweep of the Angels in their upcoming game. The team now holds a 34–20 record and has secured seven consecutive series victories over Los Angeles. Rodón’s dominant pitching not only contributes to the Yankees’ winning momentum but also provides reassurance for a rotation searching for stability amid the absence of Gerrit Cole. If Rodón continues delivering such consistent outings, New York’s chances of maintaining their lead in a competitive league will strengthen considerably.