We're not going to sit here and say it was likely, but New York Yankees fans were loving every second of Carlos Rodón's utter domination of the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night as he was perfect through 5 1/3 innings.
That's not nothing! Rodón was mowing through the opposition as he's continued to build upon each of his outings very nicely. Where's everybody who was crying about or criticizing his contract just a few short months ago? Yeah, stay in your hole.
In the end, Rodón only finished six innings, but he allowed just two earned runs on three hits while striking out nine. He didn't walk a batter. He labored a bit after getting worked in the sixth and logged 100 pitches. Not the worst outcome.
The fans in attendance had his back all night. Yankee Stadium was "on one" as the crowd was dialed into every pitch and every big hit/play. They were barking when Alex Verdugo made an incredible catch at the wall. They erupted when Aaron Judge cleared the bases with a three-run triple. The tone was set thanks to a four-run first inning that saw Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres pick up RBI.
Rodón had the run support all the way, he just needed the magic. Sadly, the party concluded in the top of the sixth when Carlos Santana put one over the short porch. The boos rained down on Santana, but then cheers drowned them out when a fan in the right field seats launched Santana's home run ball back onto the field. Where it belongs, dammit!
Yankee Stadium responds perfectly after Twins break up Carlos Rodón's perfect game
The Yanks ended up securing the 9-5 victory and clinched the series win as they go for the sweep on Thursday. They didn't waste anybody in the bullpen, as Dennis Santana and Michael Tonkin finished the final three innings thanks to the six-run lead at the time.
The offense was relentless and propelled the team to its seventh straight win. But once again, the rotation came in and took care of business as the unbelievable run of form continues. It's somehow only getting better, too! Rodón hit a season-high nine strikeouts and took advantage of the early runs.
If the Yankees keep up the energy, the fans in the Bronx will continue to respond emphatically, which is exactly what it's supposed to feel like on a nightly basis. At the very least, one area of the roster is bringing it every day to keep the pressure on. When it all comes together, it's a beautiful thing.
And when we get some entertainment from the folks in the seats, there's nothing more you can ask for.