Yankees Secure Victory Against Angels: Yarbrough's Pitching and Volpe's Hit Lead the Way

The New York Yankees triumphed over the Los Angeles Angels with a final score of 5-1 on May 26, 2025, marking the first game of their three-game series. The game, held at Angel Stadium, saw Ryan Yarbrough taking the mound for the Yankees and Jack Kochanowicz pitching for the Angels. This victory underscored the Yankees' resilience and strategic gameplay, setting a positive tone for the series.

Here’s a detailed recap of the game:

Game Summary

The Yankees showcased a blend of solid pitching and timely hitting, overcoming an early deficit to dominate the game. Ryan Yarbrough delivered a stellar performance, while Anthony Volpe’s crucial hit turned the tide in favor of the Yankees.

Key Moments

• First Inning: Zach Neto of the Angels kicked off the game with a solo home run, giving the Angels an early 1-0 lead. You can watch the highlight here.
• Fourth Inning: The Yankees responded in the fourth inning. Ben Rice singled, followed by Trent Grisham. Aaron Judge loaded the bases, and Cody Bellinger walked, tying the game 1-1.
• Fourth Inning: Anthony Volpe then cleared the bases with a three-run double, propelling the Yankees to a 4-1 lead. Check out Volpe's hit here.
• Eighth Inning: Austin Wells added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 5-1. See the play here.

Pitching Performances

• Ryan Yarbrough (Yankees): Pitched six innings, allowing only two hits and one earned run, with seven strikeouts. His effective use of various pitches kept the Angels' hitters at bay.
• Jack Kochanowicz (Angels): Lasted 6.2 innings, giving up five hits and four earned runs, while striking out five.

Yarbrough’s performance was particularly noteworthy, marking his longest outing of the season as a starter. "I think it's just been having a really good approach," Yarbrough said, emphasizing the importance of mixing speeds and keeping hitters guessing.

Hitting Highlights

• Anthony Volpe: His three-run double in the fourth inning was the turning point, driving in Grisham, Judge, and Bellinger.
• Cody Bellinger: Contributed with two hits and an RBI walk.
• Zach Neto: The sole bright spot for the Angels, hitting a leadoff home run in the first inning. See Neto's home run here.

Volpe's perspective on his crucial hit: “Yeah, I just wanted to get something I could handle, do the job, and get it up,” he stated, highlighting his focus on capitalizing on the pitch.

Team Statistics

Here’s a look at some key team stats:

Yankees

• Batting: 2B: Volpe (16, Kochanowicz). TB: Bellinger 2; Grisham; Judge; Rice; Volpe 2. RBI: Bellinger (32), Volpe 3 (31), Wells, A (31).
• Runners Left in Scoring Position: Domínguez, Vivas, Peraza, O.
• Team RISP: 2-for-9.
• Team LOB: 6.

Angels

• Batting: HR: Neto (9, 1st inning off Yarbrough). TB: Adell 2; d'Arnaud; Neto 4; Rengifo. RBI: Neto (20).
• Runners Left in Scoring Position: Schanuel, Adell.
• Team RISP: 1-for-4.
• Team LOB: 6.

Defensive Plays

• Oswald Peraza (Yankees): Made a notable play at third base in the sixth inning, helping Yarbrough cruise through the inning. See Peraza's play here.
• Yoán Moncada (Angels): Showcased his defensive skills, contributing to the Angels' effort. View Moncada's defense here.
• Chris Taylor (Angels): Made a sliding catch in left field. Check out the catch here.

Bullpen Performance

• Yerry De Los Santos (Yankees): Continued his strong form, pitching 1.1 innings with three strikeouts.
• Luke Weaver (Yankees): Closed out the game, working around trouble to secure the win.

The Yankees' bullpen showcased depth, effectively managing the game after Yarbrough's exit.

Roster Moves and Player Updates

Chris Taylor signed with the Angels and played center field in this game. News of the signing surfaced earlier, adding a new dynamic to the Angels' lineup.

Looking Ahead

The Yankees will aim to secure the series victory with Carlos Rodon scheduled to pitch against Tyler Anderson of the Angels in the next game. The game is set for 9:38 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the YES Network.

Final Thoughts

The Yankees' victory over the Angels highlighted their ability to combine solid pitching, timely hitting, and strategic defense. Ryan Yarbrough's impressive start and Anthony Volpe's clutch hit were instrumental in securing the win. As the series continues, the Yankees will look to build on this momentum and continue their strong performance.

Here are some of the highlights from the game: