Yankees slam down Dodgers 10-2

The Yankees did what they can do and also got a brilliant start from James Paxton to pound the Dodgers 10-2 on a summery Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Paxton was nearly untouchable, striking out 11 and scattering five hits to get the win.

Maybe that start was unexpected but the Yankees hitting home runs was probably not.

The Yankees scored first in the third inning when Aaron Judge and Gary Sánchez homered to make it 2-0 Yankees. That made it two straight games where Dodger starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu gave up two home runs in an inning.

The Dodgers would cut the lead down to one run when A.J. Pollock singled home Kiké Hernández in the bottom of the third.

Unfortunately that was as close as the Dodgers would get because in the fifth inning, the Yankees put the game out of reach.

The Yankees had runners on second and third and one out when the Ryu intentionally walked Sánchez to load the bases. Didi Gregorius hit the very first pitch for a grand slam home run and a 6-1 lead. Ryu would give up one more hit before exiting the game.

Ryu would eventually be responsible for seven runs equaling the most runs he had given up this season. It was his second straight start where he had some command issues so he will look to bounce back in his next start.

But as poorly as Ryu, Paxton was on top of his game. The Dodgers have improved their contact rate this season but they did not have great swings against Paxton.

Will Smith and Cody Bellinger each struck out three times apiece against Paxton, Smith would strike out four times overall.

The Yankees would hit two more home runs, Yimi Garcia gave one up to Gleyber Torres and then Gregorius hit his second home run in the ninth off Casey Sadler.

But no matter how much this game stings, it is just one game and the Dodgers evened had their Magic Number lowered to 13 due to the Diamondbacks losing.

So while the fireworks blast over the Dodger Stadium skyline, the Dodgers will try to put this one behind them as they still have two more games in this series to play.

Friday particulars

Home runs: Aaron Judge (14), Gary Sánchez (29), Didi Gregorius (13), Gleyber Torres (32)

WP: James Paxton (10-6), 6⅔ IP, 5 H, 2 R, 11 SO

LP: Hyun-Jin Ryu (12-4), 4⅓ IP, 9 H, 7 R, 1 BB, 7 SO

Box score

Up next

The Dodgers will play a rare for them, Saturday afternoon home game. Tony Gonsolin will go against the active leader in wins, CC Sabathia. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PT.