Harrison Bader belted a three-run homer in the first inning that was upheld via replay and the host New York Yankees cruised to an 11-3 rout of the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday afternoon.
The Yankees won a third straight game for the first time this season and completed their first series sweep heading into a four-game set against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays that begins Thursday. New York had lost 10 of 16 games prior to its series versus Oakland.
New York held a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Gleyber Torres before Bader hit a 1-1 pitch off Oakland starter Kyle Muller (1-3) that just cleared the video board in right field.
Oakland right fielder JJ Bleday tried to make a leaping catch on the play. A fan sitting in the front row appeared to reach over and make the catch. Replay appeared to show the fan’s glove was over the padding off the fence, but the homer stood after umpires initiated a crew chief review.
Anthony Rizzo added an RBI single and DJ LeMahieu hit a two-run homer in New York’s seven-run fifth inning. Rookie Anthony Volpe capped the inning with his first career grand slam by hitting a 419-foot drive to the loading dock adjacent to Monument Park.
Carlos Perez and Jace Peterson hit back-to-back homers in the second off the Yankees’ rookie starter Jhony Brito for Oakland, which dropped to an MLB-worst 8-30. The A’s were swept for the fifth time and dropped their eighth straight game in the Bronx.
Brito allowed two runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out three, walked two and exited after allowing a double to Brent Rooker.
Jimmy Cordero (2-1) replaced Brito and left the bases loaded by retiring Tony Kemp.
Deivi Garcia, who was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre before the game, pitched three innings in his first appearance with the Yankees since May 29, 2021. He was credited with a save.
Muller, who picked up Oakland’s first win by a starter Friday in Kansas City, allowed six runs on five in five-plus innings to take the loss.
–Field Level Media
