NEW YORK --
Rizzo drove in both Yankees runs to fuel their continued dominance at the corner of 161st Street and River Avenue, helping the Bombers (47-16) win their 14th consecutive game at Yankee Stadium, a record for this incarnation of the building.\n\nThat made Rizzo a worthy recipient of the jewel-encrusted wrestling-style belt, passed around the clubhouse in honor of that game’s most significant contributor, a responsibility that comes with delivering a closed-door speech to teammates. As Rizzo accepted his prize, he noted the other contributions that made such a victory possible.\n\n“I thought Rizzo said it really well,” manager Aaron Boone said. “It’s something we say in Spring Training when the full group is there. Look around; even if you don’t think you’re going to impact us, there’s a chance you might come up in a huge spot. One day, one week, whatever. Make sure you’re ready.”
Indeed, long before Rizzo slugged a Shawn Armstrong sinker into the right-field seats for the fifth walk-off homer of his career (first since 2018 with the Cubs), the Yankees received 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball from the surprise tandem of Clarke Schmidt and Ryan Weber.
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Weber’s fourth-inning entrance prompted a chorus of questioning cries from a crowd of 39,469; likely only the most ardent fans would recognize the 31-year-old journeyman, but Boone and the Yankees sure did. A non-roster invitee this spring, Weber had pitched to a 2.95 ERA this year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before his contract was purchased on Thursday.\n\nMaking his Yankees debut, Weber momentarily wondered if his reception would be impacted by previous service in a Red Sox uniform (2019-21). Those thoughts vanished as he retired 11 Rays, touched only by Francisco Mejía's fifth-inning home run. Rizzo tied the game an inning later, stroking an RBI single off Ryan Thompson.
“This team is rolling right now. It was fun to be part of it for one night,” said Weber, who was designated for assignment after the game, with Severino reinstated from the IL.\n\n