Max Muncy’s two-run homer broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning Friday, propelling the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 2-1 victory over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The game marked the first outing for Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki at the venue, and the young pitcher showcased a burst of velocity that stood out during a strong performance.
The Dodgers (62-36) entered the second half of the season coming off the All-Star break, where Muncy had recently competed in the Midsummer Classic. Despite the extra work, Muncy stayed locked in, waiting for a mistake from Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. Cole, who held the Dodgers to four hits through six-plus innings, left a slider over the plate in a crucial seventh-inning at-bat. Muncy capitalized by launching the pitch 416 feet for a go-ahead home run.
Cole’s decision to remain in the game after issuing a walk to Mookie Betts to open the seventh drew attention. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the complexity, noting it was a “tough decision” for Yankees manager Aaron Boone, weighing the choice between turning to the bullpen or trusting his ace. Muncy, who fell behind two strikes, continued to battle before connecting on his decisive swing.
Sasaki’s outing was notable for his newfound velocity. The right-hander threw 21 pitches at 100 mph or harder—setting a Dodgers record for most such pitches in a game since Statcast began tracking in 2008. He reached a top speed just over 101 mph and credited a rest during the All-Star break and a modification to his lower-body mechanics for the increase. Sasaki allowed one unearned run, which resulted from defensive errors rather than pitching lapses.
The Yankees’ only run came in the fourth inning when center fielder Andy Pages misplayed a double by Jasson Domínguez, allowing him to advance to third base. Subsequently, a forkball got past catcher Dalton Rushing, enabling Domínguez to score. Pages redeemed himself later with a diving catch to end the fifth inning, robbing Austin Wells of an extra-base hit.
Dodgers relievers Jack Dreyer, Alex Vesia, and Tanner Scott combined to pitch 3 1⁄3 scoreless innings to preserve the narrow lead. The Yankees threatened in the eighth with runners on first and second, but a quick defensive relay—from Pages to Betts to Rushing at home plate—prevented the tying run from scoring.
Despite the win and strong individual efforts, Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts acknowledged the team’s defensive inconsistencies. “We still had a couple mishaps in this game. We’ve got to clean that up for sure. You can’t win a World Series doing what we did today,” he said. “But we’ll keep working and try to clean it up.”
The Dodgers’ victory ended a brief losing skid and provided momentum as the season progresses, highlighting contributions both on the mound and at the plate.