When Giancarlo Stanton stepped to the plate yesterday, the baseball world held its breath. Just a flick of the wrist and a thunderous crack—and behold! The ball rocketed off his bat at 114 mph—a laser beam destined for the left-center field seats. It was a moment of pure power, a testament to Stanton’s extraordinary talent. And for Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón, who was watching his dynamic teammate thrash around balls in his full form, it was a sight that never gets old.

In a post-game interview with the YES Network, Rodón waxes lyrical about Stanton’s regal hitting prowess, even while revealing the strategy behind his own impressive 11-out streak. “When he hits the ball, he makes contact; he does damage,” Rodón muses of Stanton, with a hint of awe lingering in his voice. He isn’t exaggerating.

A former MVP and a perennial All-Star, Stanton is known for his monstrous home runs and the sheer velocity with which he launches the balls. His latest homer—a 427-foot missile in the New York Yankees’ 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins—was just a mere testament to his power. And Carlos Rodón, who himself had a stellar performance on the mound—he retired 11 straight batters at one point—was clearly impressed.

“A guy like that in our lineup is obviously great to have,” Rodón reflects. But when it comes to facing Stanton, the entire ambiance changes—those practice sessions turn into nothing short of a double-edged sword for the Yankees’ pitchers. “You don’t know if the ball is going to come back at you 120 or go over the fence at 120,” Rodón remarks, highlighting the risk and reward of pitching to the slugger.

The game against the Minnesota Twins turned out to be a microcosm of the Stanton-Rodón dynamic. Giancarlo’s home run in the third inning extended the Bombers’ lead to 3-1 while providing crucial insurance runs for Carlos Rodón. Meanwhile, after having a shaky first inning where he gave up a leadoff home run, the ace settled down to straight-out dominate the Twins’ lineup. His 11-out streak that resulted in six Ks was just proof of his ability to bounce back and the team’s trust in his defense.

“Just attack the zone; let the defense work,” Rodón emphasizes when asked about the key to his streak. And the defense did their job, indeed. Led by Alex Verdugo and Aaron Judge, the lineup made several crucial plays to back up their rotation. Ultimately, this combination of offensive firepower and defensive solidarity proved to be too much for the Twins, who saw their 17-of-20 winning streak snapped at a moment’s notice.

Not just Carlos Rodón: Volpe, Cabrera, and Verdugo spark Yankees’ offensive onslaught 

Rodón’s performance, though overshadowed by Stanton’s homer, was no less significant. The ace’s ability to limit damage after a rocky start, putting together a string of scoreless innings right after, was crucial to the Yankees’ victory. He allowed only one run on six hits in his six-plus innings of work, further solidifying his reputation as a reliable starter.

On the opposite side of the diamond, contributing an RBI double in the second inning, was Anthony Volpe, happily continuing his impressive rookie campaign—one that proved detrimental in giving the Twins a serve down the scoreboard. Oswaldo Cabrera, known for his defensive prowess, kept showcasing his offensive capabilities with a sacrifice fly in the second. Further solidifying the Bombers’ lead was Alex Verdugo, who came up with a crucial two-run double in the fourth inning, showcasing the depth and versatility of the team’s offense.

Ian Hamilton proved to the opponents what a valuable asset he is out of the bullpen after coming in relief for Carlos Rodón in the seventh. Pitching two scoreless innings and then stranding two runners in the process, his composure and ability to handle pressure were shining in the spotlight at Target Field. To wrap it up, continuing his dominant form by pitching a perfect ninth inning, Yankees’ closer, Clay Holmes, finally secured the 5-1 victory for his team.

The overall performance by the Bombers turned out to be a perfect example of that infamous New York resilience, ruthlessness, and depth. Fueled by Stanton’s power and contributions from throughout the lineup, their offense kept putting constant pressure on the Twins’ pitching staff. On the other side, with standout plays from Verdugo and Judge, the defense provided solid support for Rodón and the bullpen, limiting their opponent’s scoring opportunities. A testament to the Yankees’ ninth victory in their last twelve games, the win resulted in marking their position as a top contender in the American League East.