Max Muncy hit a go-ahead two-run homer with nobody out in the sixth inning against Gerrit Cole and the Los Angeles Dodgers earned a 2-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Friday night in the first meeting at Yankee Stadium between the teams since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series.
The Dodgers snapped a three-game losing streak in their first trip to the Bronx since scoring five unearned runs off Cole in the fifth inning of Game 5 to clinch the first of their consecutive titles.
Cole (3-5) entered the seventh at 90 pitches and started the inning by walking Mookie Betts. Manager Aaron Boone visited the mound and kept Cole in as relievers Brent Headrick and Fernando Cruz warmed up.
Muncy fouled off three pitches before ending the at-bat by hammering Cole’s 2-2 slider about halfway up the second deck in right field. Muncy ended a 0-for-10 skid with his homer off Cole, who had held him hitless in five previous encounters.
Cole was lifted after his 103rd pitch gave the Dodgers the lead. Headrick finished the inning by getting the next three hitters.
The Yankees held a 1-0 lead when Jasson Dominguez scored on a passed ball by catcher Dalton Rushing in the fourth. Dominguez hit a two-out double and advanced to third when center fielder Andy Page bobbled the ball for an error.
Sasaki allowed an unearned run on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out five, walked one and exited after allowing a single to Cody Bellinger to put runners at first and second.
Jack Dreyer (4-1) struck out Dominguez to end the sixth and pitched 1 2/3 innings. Alex Vesia gave up a double to Ben Rice but was aided by Betts throwing out Grisham on a close play at the plate.
The Yankees challenged the call and contended Rushing blocked the plate, but the call was not overturned via replay. Following an intentional walk to Paul Goldschmidt, Vesia retired Bellinger on the next pitch.
Tanner Scott pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 14th save.
Cole allowed two runs on four hits in six-plus innings. He struck out eight and walked one.
