Ryan McMahon's Two-Run Bomb in the Eighth Has the Yankees Walking Off, and Kansas City Has No Answer

The New York Yankees are living off walk-off magic right now, and Friday night was no exception. Ryan McMahon, who spent most of the game swinging in the batting cage, came off the bench and crushed a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning with two outs against Alex Lange to give New York a 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals. This is becoming a pattern for the Bronx Bombers, and it is working.

The Unlikely Hero Steps Up When It Counts

McMahon's homer was his sixth hit in 43 at-bats this season, and here's the thing: his previous five hits were all singles. The left-handed batter was not exactly swinging it hot coming into Friday, but manager Aaron Boone had him ready to go. "You get excited for people," Boone said after the game. "It was a huge, huge at-bat obviously. I think he was hitting for about the whole game down underneath, so obviously ready for it. Put a good swing on it on a crazy night."

McMahon may be back on the bench for the next two games since the Yankees are facing lefty pitchers in Noah Cameron and Cole Ragans. Amed Rosario, a righty, normally crushes left-handed pitching with a career .297 average against southpaws, but he has only gone 3-for-14 (.214) this season off that arm.

The Yankees Are Hot, But the Royals Are Falling Apart

New York is 4-8 over its past 12 games after a scorching 7-1 start. The Yankees have won their last two games, and both were walk-offs. Before that, they had lost five straight. But even in the rough patch, this team finds a way to get the job done late.

Kansas City is headed the other direction. The Royals dropped their fifth straight game and are now 2-8 in their past 10. Their bullpen ERA sits at 6.08, the second worst in baseball. After giving up McMahon's two-run shot, Lange was frustrated. "I feel like when you fall behind guys, bad things happen," he said. "Those hitters are really good. It (stinks) going out there and blowing a game. You feel like you let the boys down and they've been battling their ass off all year." Vinnie Pasquantino drove in both Kansas City runs and hit a tying homer in the eighth before McMahon went deep.

Saturday Brings a New Test

Will Warren takes the mound for the Yankees on Saturday after his shortest outing of the season. The right-hander allowed four runs (all unearned) on three hits in 3 2/3 innings during Monday's 11-10 win over the Angels. His only career start against the Royals was a no-decision in New York's 1-0 victory at Kansas City last June 12, where he allowed four hits in 5 2/3 innings. Cameron will go for Kansas City, looking to bounce back after being tagged for five runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Sunday.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.