Yankees sweep the Royals in a bizarre 1-0 thriller on June 13, 2025. Pablo Reyes' mad dash on an error scores the only run in an unforgettable win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some wins are about majestic home runs and overpowering pitching. And some, like Thursday night's 1-0 victory over the Royals, are about pure, unadulterated chaos. The Yankees completed a perfect 6-0 season sweep of Kansas City not with a bang, but with a mad dash to home plate by Pablo Reyes, capping a bizarre and unforgettable game that perfectly encapsulates this team's grit and ability to win at all costs.
6-0: The Yankees' perfect record against the Kansas City Royals this season, sealed with a 1-0 victory where the only run scored on a throwing error.
In a scoreless deadlock heading into the eighth inning, it felt like one moment of brilliance—or madness—would decide it. We got the latter. Pablo Reyes, who had singled, advanced to third on a groundout. Then, with two outs, Royals reliever Lucas Erceg bounced a pitch that got away from the catcher. As Reyes broke for home, Erceg's hurried throw sailed wide, and Reyes slid in safely with the only run of the game. It was a play built on hustle and awareness, the kind of gritty, heads-up play that defines championship-caliber teams. As Reyes said after the game, it's about playing hard every second you're in a Yankees uniform, and his wild sprint proved to be the difference.
While Reyes' baserunning stole the headlines, the victory was built on the mound. Will Warren and four relievers—Clay Holmes, Ian Hamilton, Luke Weaver, and Mark Leiter Jr. (who snagged the win)—were absolutely masterful, combining on a five-hit shutout. The bullpen slammed the door, culminating in Devin Williams striking out the dangerous Jac Caglianone to end the game and lock down his ninth save. It was a pitching performance that reminded everyone that this team can win tight, low-scoring affairs just as easily as they can win slugfests.
The Yankees secured the win without two of their biggest bats. Aaron Judge received his first, and very well-deserved, day off of the season after a torrid stretch that saw him blast four homers in three games. Meanwhile, third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. was held out with left groin tightness he suffered Wednesday. The team is calling him day-to-day, a sigh of relief for fans, with the reliable Oswald Peraza stepping in at the hot corner. It's a testament to the club's depth that they can rest a superstar and manage an injury without skipping a beat.
More good news is brewing down on the farm. Giancarlo Stanton is looking healthy and powerful in his rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset, going 3-for-7 with four RBIs in his first two games. Not to be outdone, starter Marcus Stroman made his first rehab start, tossing 3 1/3 solid innings with four strikeouts as he recovers from left knee inflammation. The plan is to build him back up to a full starter's workload. Having those two All-Stars back in the Bronx soon is a scary thought for the rest of the American League.
The Yankees are finding every conceivable way to win baseball games. Whether it's a slugfest powered by Aaron Judge or a 1-0 nail-biter won on pure hustle, this team is proving its mettle. With the best road record in baseball, a commanding lead in the AL East, and superstars like Stanton and Stroman on the verge of returning, the Bronx Bombers are not just a team to watch; they're the team to beat. The rest of the league is officially on notice.
