Jorbit Vivas drills very first homer, Carlos Rodón shoves as Yankees
Quickly after Jorbit Vivas battled Ryne Stanek’s 100-mph fastball over the course of an 11-pitch at-bat in a Might 18 win over the Mets– resulting in a game-changing, run-scoring grounder– Aaron Boone pointed out that the rookie has actually had a tough time versus heating systems given that being promoted earlier this month.
“I seem 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 method,” Boone stated before noting how Vivas processed and adapted to Stanek’s gas.
On Thursday, Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t tossing quite as hard. However with the Rangers’ righty taking a 1.61 age into the day and his four-seamer maxing out at 97.2 miles per hour, it was noteworthy that Vivas’ first-career crowning achievement came on a fastball in the 5th inning of the Yankees’ 1-0, series-sweeping win.
“In my very first at-bat, he tossed me a couple fastballs,” Vivas stated. “So returning for that at-bat, I was searching for something high in the zone.”
Now, Eovaldi only pumped 94 on that upper-middle offering, however Vivas pounced on it. With an extended leg kick packing his swing, the 24-year-old pulled the pitch over Yankee Arena’s brief patio in right.
As Vivas viewed the ball sail, Cody Bellinger held up one finger in celebration while leaning on the Yankees’ dugout railing.
“I in fact was a huge fan of him in spring training. Loved his at-bats,” Bellinger recently stated. “He’s a very exciting player. He’s got a lot of self-confidence.”
Vivas, meanwhile, believed it had to do with time he struck one out.
“There are many things going through my head right because moment,” he said. “I said, ‘Oh, my first one. Lastly!'”
Vivas la Vida
Congrats Jorbit on your very first major league homer! pic.twitter.com/ErOtVrwTZB
— New York City Yankees (@Yankees) May 22, 2025
Vivas added that the Yankees recovered the ball for him. He prepares to take it back home to Venezuela so that helpful member of the family, who view every game, can have it.
He likewise stated he provided his mother a call after the game.
“It’s quite cool to get your very first in a 1-0 game and be the distinction,” Boone said. “Huge. He’s capable of that. Really great swing. Jumped on that first-pitch heating system and didn’t miss it. He’s had a couple huge at-bats in this homestand for us, which one was undoubtedly huge for us and the difference in the game today.”
With Vivas offering the offense against Eovaldi, Carlos Rodón looked after run prevention.
No Rangers crossed the plate over the lefty’s 6 innings of work. Rodón also tallied two hits, two strolls and eight strikeouts as he lowered his period to 2.88.
While Boone stated Rodón had “a little bit of whatever working,” including a curveball that had gotten away from him recently, the southpaw credited catcher J.C. Escarra for his strong efficiency.
“He’s really fantastic behind the plate,” Rodón said. “Obviously, the glove is fantastic. And then the pitch-calling was just superb.”
Thursday marked Rodón’s newest outing in cold and/or rainy conditions, as Boone mentioned pregame that he’s had to keep the pitcher approximately date on the weather numerous times this season.
“Luckily, he does not mind the components,” Boone presciently continued.
Opponents are now striking simply.162 versus Rodón this season. With Max Fried owning a 1.29 AGE, members of the Yankees’ rotation lead the majors in both statistics.
The Yankees’ bullpen also kept the Rangers off the board, as Mark Leiter Jr., Devin Williams and Luke Weaver all threw blank innings in the low-scoring affair.
Weaver pitched for the third day in a row. The closer, who has a miniscule 0.40 AGE, has tossed just 18 pitches over that stretch.
“They swing and go out quicker?” Weaver stated with a smile when asked what the secret to performance is. “I think it’s truly almost trying to get strike one as quick as possible. It’s trying to get to 2 strikes as fast as possible and just attempt to put them away as quick as you can.
“I do not necessarily want to attempt to get 2 strikes every time. I wish to have the ability to be efficient, to be able to come back the next day and to take load off the arm and to the body and make individuals breathe simpler in the dugout and in the stands.”
With a sweep protected, the Yankees will head west for the 2nd time this month. The three-city journey starts in Colorado on Friday.
Clarke Schmidt, Fried and the red-hot Will Warren are slated to begin versus the abysmal Rockies. A yet-to-be-determined pitcher, Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela will pitch for Colorado.
The two Rockies starters have Periods well above 5.00.
Originally Released: May 22, 2025 at 3:11 PM EDT