Carlos Rodon falls apart against Royals, is chased early in Yankees disaster

· New York Post

Carlos Rodon’s Yankees postseason career seemed to be getting off to an excellent start — until the left-hander fell apart in the fourth inning of Game 2 of the ALDS against the Royals in The Bronx.

In a scene all too familiar to Yankee fans, Rodon saw his stuff disappear quickly, this time in a critical situation, as he allowed four runs in the top of the fourth after the Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third.

Rodon looked dominant in the first two innings, striking out four and retiring six of the first seven batters he faced before pitching around two hits in the third.

Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon hands the ball to manager Aaron Boone as he’s removed from Game 2 of the ALDS against the Royals in the fourth inning on Oct. 7, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Yankees starter Carlos Rodon reacts after giving up three runs in the fourth inning against the Royals on Oct. 7, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

But Salvador Perez led off the fourth with a booming homer to left on a hanging 2-0 slider to tie the game at 1-1 and things only got worse from there.

Yuli Gurriel followed with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch.

Follow The Post’s live updates from Game 2 between the Yankees and Royals.

Tommy Pham put Kansas City ahead with a single to right-center off another poor slider and after Rodon was on the verge of ending the inning without more damage with a strikeout of Hunter Renfroe, Rodon was burned again by a single to right by Garrett Hampson off a slider to make it 3-1 and end his night.

Ian Hamilton entered and gave up an RBI single to Garcia for the fourth and final run of the inning.