Yankees Defeat Royals With Wells' Clutch Performance

New York Yankees' Austin Wells reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in New Yor

Austin Wells' go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning and an RBI double in the eighth propelled the New York Yankees to a 10-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night, extending their lead in the AL East. The win pushed the Yankees' record to 83-61, surpassing last season's win total and putting them 1 1/2 games ahead of the Orioles.

Wells' clutch hitting was a highlight of the game, with his seventh homer in the last 37 games and sixth as the Yankees' cleanup hitter. The rookie catcher tied a career high with four RBIs, showcasing his impressive performance since the All-Star break with a .301 batting average in his last 37 games.

Manager Aaron Boone praised Wells' consistency as a middle-of-the-order hitter, emphasizing the quality of his at-bats. Outfielder Jasson Domínguez, who was recently promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre, also commended Wells' performance, calling his homer 'insane.'

Yankees surpass last season's win total with 83-61 record.

Austin Wells' go-ahead three-run homer and RBI double lead Yankees to victory.

Wells shines with four RBIs and .301 batting average post All-Star break.

Manager Aaron Boone praises Wells' consistency and quality at-bats.

Yankees rally with seven unanswered runs after Royals briefly take lead.

The Royals briefly took a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning with a Hunter Renfroe homer, but the Yankees responded with a late-game rally, scoring seven unanswered runs. Gleyber Torres, Aaron Judge, and Alex Verdugo contributed to the offensive outburst, with Wells capping off the scoring with a double off the left field wall.

Salvador Perez stood out for the Royals, going 4 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs. However, Kansas City struggled defensively and lost their sixth consecutive road game, falling 3 1/2 games behind Cleveland in the AL Central.

The Yankees' pitching staff also played a crucial role in the victory, with Carlos Rodón allowing four runs in six innings, and relievers Jake Cousins, Luke Weaver, and Ian Hamilton shutting down the Royals in the late innings.

In injury news, Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hip impingement, potentially sidelining him for the rest of the season. Infielder Jon Berti was activated after missing 90 games with a strained left calf.

Next up, Royals' Seth Lugo will face off against Yankees' Marcus Stroman in the upcoming game on Tuesday.