NEW YORK – Ryan McMahon delivered the New York Yankees’ go-ahead hit in dramatic fashion on Friday night, launching a two-run home run in the eighth inning to break a 2-2 tie and secure a 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium.
The blast marked McMahon’s first extra-base hit of the 2026 MLB season, coming after he began the game batting just .119 (5-for-42) with two RBIs. His solo swing changed the momentum of a contest that had seen the Yankees struggle to produce offense against Royals starter Michael Wacha, who had retired 19 consecutive batters before McMahon’s at-bat.
McMahon entered the game defensively at third base in the top of the eighth inning, replacing Amed Rosario in the lineup. On a 2-1 count against Royals reliever Alex Lange, he deposited a changeup 372 feet into the left-field stands, clearing the fence with what appeared to be assistance from the wind blowing out to left.
“He took ‘a hundred’ practice swings — then one that wins it for Yanks,” read the MLB.com headline describing the moment, capturing the precision and preparation behind the timely hit.
The home run snapped McMahon’s season-long slump and provided the difference in a game where the Yankees had managed just five hits through seven innings. Ben Rice added an insurance two-run shot later in the inning, extending the lead to 4-2.
New York’s victory improved their record against Kansas City to 15-3 since the start of the 2024 season, continuing a dominant stretch in the rivalry. The Royals, meanwhile, dropped to 7-13 on the season, having lost eight of their last ten games.
McMahon’s contribution was particularly significant given his limited role in the contest. Manager Aaron Boone had initially left him out of the starting lineup in favor of Rosario, opting for a right-handed bat against Wacha. The decision to bring McMahon off the bench paid immediate dividends.
The Yankees’ third baseman has now appeared in 2026 season games for New York after being acquired from the Colorado Rockies during the offseason. He made his MLB debut with Colorado on August 12, 2017, and was selected as an All-Star in 2024 during his final season with the Rockies.
McMahon attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, where he played both baseball and football, serving as quarterback on the football team. He was named Trinity League Most Valuable Player as a senior in 2013 before being drafted by the Rockies in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2013 MLB Draft.
His younger brother, TJ McMahon, currently plays collegiate quarterback at Oklahoma Baptist University, continuing the family’s athletic tradition.
With the win, the Yankees strengthened their position in the American League East race, using timely hitting to overcome early offensive struggles. The team will look to build on this momentum as they continue their homestand.
What’s next: The Yankees will continue their series against the Royals on Saturday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 PM ET at Yankee Stadium.
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