KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Anthony Volpe’s Performance Shines

Anthony Volpe stepped up to the plate once again, taking on the shortstop role for the Yankees after Jose Caballero returned from the disabled list. His performance was pivotal in a tight game against the Royals.

Bobby Witt Jr. had previously put the Royals ahead with a solo homer in the eighth inning. But Volpe responded in the top of the ninth with a two-run homer, ultimately leading the Yankees to a 4-3 win during a Memorial Day game at Kauffman Stadium.

Prior to this, the Yankees had struggled for 14 years, but things seemed to shift when Paul Goldschmidt got the inning started with an infield hit in the ninth.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed up with a double, setting Volpe up for success. He then hit an infield single over Witt’s head, putting the Yankees ahead.

The Yankees managed to take the series opener against the Royals, with David Bednar closing out the game and avoiding a two-out walk in the final inning.

Jake Bird had come in to relieve Brent Headrick in the seventh and managed to save the game despite facing some challenges. In the eighth, though, it was a curveball that led to Witt’s substantial home run, breaking a 2-2 tie with a shot that traveled 432 feet.

Cody Bellinger had given the Yankees an early lead, hitting a home run off Michael Wacha’s inside fastball in the second inning. The Yankees were aggressive from the beginning, with seven out of the first nine batters swinging at the first pitch. Bellinger’s impressive 403-foot blast made it 1-0.

Before the second inning concluded, the Yankees extended their lead. Volpe initiated a rally with a seven-pitch walk, followed by JC Escala’s first-pitch single, which left runners on the corners.

Caballero, playing at third base for the first time this season, was delayed by the pitch clock, leading to a violation. Nevertheless, Volpe bounced back and singled, bringing the score to 2-0.

Will Warren faced some struggles in the bottom of the inning, walking three of the first four batters he encountered, hitting a season high in just minutes.

Despite the hiccups, the Yankees managed to limit the Royals’ scoring to just a sacrifice fly by Michael Massie, reducing the lead to 2-1.

Although Warren induced a high number of fly balls, he would later allow a game-tying home run from Perez after a sinker was too central in the sixth inning, changing the game’s dynamics.