LOS ANGELES – The New York Yankees left Los Angeles feeling good about how they matched up against the team with the best record in baseball.
DJ LeMahieu, Aaron Judge and Mike Ford homered, and Domingo German outdueled Clayton Kershaw for his major league-leading 17th win in a 5-1 victory over the Dodgers on Sunday.
“We played consistent and we have a dangerous lineup,” said Judge, who homered in all three games and is one away from 100 in his career.
“To come in here and win two of three from the best team in the National League and one of the best teams in baseball is awesome,” he said.
The Yankees set a major league record for most homers in a month with 61 in August. They slugged nine in a potential World Series preview to remain tied with Houston for the best record in the American League at 85-47.
The Dodgers are 86-46.
“It’s hard not to let it creep into your head that this could be a preview of something,” Dodgers infielder Max Muncy said. “The atmosphere was unbelievable. The fans were loud.”
German (17-3) allowed one run and five hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked two. He owns the highest winning percentage in the majors at .850, overtaking Kershaw.
“He was mixing it up pretty good,” Muncy said. “His misses were off the corners. He didn’t miss enough to be walking us. Once the shadows started creeping, he was even better.”
New York won its 11th straight game against a left-handed starter and is 25-14 versus lefties this season.
Kershaw (13-3) gave up three homers for the second straight game and has allowed 21 this season — two off his career high set in 2017. The left-hander allowed three runs and four hits in seven innings. He struck out a season-high 12 and walked none.
“I thought I threw the ball better than my last start. I made four mistakes and three went over the fence. That’s no fun,” Kershaw said. “I’ve always said solo home runs won’t beat you, but three probably will. One or two over seven (innings) you can deal with.”
The last six runs Kershaw has allowed have come via solo shots.
Ford extended the Yankees’ lead to 3-1 in the sixth, homering into the right field pavilion on the first pitch from Kershaw. New York has homered in eight straight games.
“I grew up watching Kershaw pitch,” Ford said, “and on my first at-bat I was just trying to take a deep breath and see the ball.”
Nationals 7, Cubs 5 (11)
In Chicago, Anthony Rendon homered and had four hits, including an RBI single in the 11th inning to help Washington earn its fifth-straight win.
Juan Soto added three hits and Stephen Strasburg struck out 10 in six innings for the Nationals.
Astros 11, Angels 2
In Houston, Jose Altuve homered to cap a seven-run eighth inning, Framber Valdez grinded through six gritty innings and the Astros beat Los Angeles.
Shohei Ohtani was 0-for-3 for the Angels.
In Other Games
Twins 7, Tigers 4
Royals 9, Indians 8 (10)
Orioles 8, Rays 3
White Sox 2, Rangers 0
Mariners 3, Blue Jays 1
Cardinals 11, Rockies 4
Giants 5, Athletics 4
Braves 2, Mets 1
Diamondbacks 5, Brewers 2
Marlins 3, Phillies 2
Pirates 9, Reds 8
Padres 3, Red Sox 1
Source : Baseball – The Japan Times