Muncy’s Two-Run Shot Lifts Dodgers Past Yankees in Bronx Opener

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 2-1 on Friday night at Yankee Stadium, scoring the go-ahead runs on a two-run home run by Max Muncy in the seventh inning. The blast came off Cole’s 103rd pitch of the evening and marked the reigning World Series champions’ first contest in the Bronx since capturing the 2024 title.

Muncy’s decisive homer arrived after he fell behind in the count 0-2, then worked the at-bat to 2-2 before connecting on a hanging slider that sailed into the right-field second deck. The home run represented his 18th of the season and proved to be the difference-maker on a night when smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the stadium.

Cole (3-5) took the loss despite striking out eight batters and pitching effectively through six innings. Yankees manager Aaron Boone visited the mound before the seventh-inning sequence that ended with Muncy’s blast, choosing to leave the 35-year-old right-hander in the game.

The Yankees scored their lone run in the fourth inning on an unearned tally. Jasson Domínguez doubled and advanced to third when Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages mishandled the ball near the warning track, then came home on a passed ball by catcher Dalton Rushing.

Dodgers reliever Jack Dreyer (4-1) collected the win, striking out Domínguez with two runners on base in the sixth and retiring the side in order during the seventh. Tanner Scott pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his 14th save in 16 opportunities.

Roki Sasaki started for Los Angeles, yielding the unearned run and five hits across 5 2/3 innings while reaching 100 mph on 21 occasions. The pitcher has struggled since mid-May, recording an 0-2 record with a 5.05 ERA through eight starts.

The Dodgers improved to 62-36, the best record in the major leagues, while the Yankees fell to 54-43. New York continues to play without captain Aaron Judge, who remains sidelined by a fractured rib.

Shohei Ohtani went hitless in four at-bats with two flyouts to the warning track five days after undergoing a lubricant injection to address inflammation in his left knee.

An eighth-inning defensive gem halted another Yankees threat. Trent Grisham was thrown out attempting to score from first base on Ben Rice’s double, as Andy Pages threw to Mookie Betts, who relayed to Rushing for the double play.

The teams will meet again Saturday with Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers (3-7, 4.15 ERA) facing Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan (4-6, 4.81 ERA).