Jorbit Vivas drills first homer, Carlos Rodón shines as Yankees sweep Rangers with 1-0 victory

Gary Phillips, New York Daily News on May 22, 2025

Published in Baseball

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NEW YORK — Shortly after Jorbit Vivas battled Ryne Stanek’s 100-mph fastball over the course of an 11-pitch at-bat in a May 18 win over the Mets — resulting in a game-changing, run-scoring grounder — Yankees manager Aaron Boone mentioned that the rookie has had a tough time against heaters since being promoted earlier this month.

“I feel like he’s struggled a little bit with some fastballs, gotten beat with some fastballs. And even early in that at-bat, it was looking that way,” Boone said before noting how Vivas processed and adjusted to Stanek’s gas.

On Thursday, Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t throwing quite as hard. But with the Rangers righty taking a 1.61 ERA into the day and his four-seamer maxing out at 97.2 mph, it was notable that Vivas’ first-career home run came on a fastball in the Yankees’ 1-0, series-sweeping win.

Now, Eovaldi only pumped 94 on that upper-middle offering, but Vivas pounced on it. With a prolonged leg kick loading his swing, the 24-year-old pulled the pitch over Yankee Stadium’s short porch in right.

As Vivas watched the ball sail, Cody Bellinger held up one finger in celebration while leaning on the Yankees’ dugout railing.

“I actually was a huge fan of him in spring training. Loved his at-bats,” Bellinger previously said. “He’s a very exciting player. He’s got a lot of confidence.”

With Vivas providing the offense against Eovaldi, Carlos Rodón took care of run prevention.

No Rangers crossed the plate over the lefty’s six innings of work. Rodón also tallied two hits, two walks and eight strikeouts as he lowered his ERA to 2.88.

Thursday marked Rodón’s latest outing in chilly and/or rainy conditions, as Boone remarked pregame that he’s had to keep the pitcher up to date on the weather several times this season.

“Fortunately, he doesn’t mind the elements,” Boone presciently continued.

Opponents are now hitting just .162 against Rodón this season. With Max Fried owning a 1.29 ERA, Yankees starters lead the majors in both statistics.

With Rodón holding the Rangers scoreless, the Yankees’ bullpen did the same. Mark Leiter Jr., Devin Williams and Luke Weaver all threw blank innings in the low-scoring affair.

With a sweep secured, the Yankees will head west for the second time this month. The three-city trip begins in Colorado on Friday.

Clarke Schmidt, Fried and the red-hot Will Warren are slated to start against the abysmal Rockies. A yet-to-be-determined pitcher, Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela will pitch for Colorado.

The two Rockies starters have ERAs well above 5.00.