The New York Yankees lead the MLB in wins and home runs, and added to their lead in both categories Sunday with an 18-4 rout of the Chicago Cubs.
Leading the way for New York was third baseman Matt Carpenter, who blasted two home runs over the right field fence and hit a two-RBI double. He finished with seven RBI on the day, raising his season total to 13.
Carpenter, 36, spent his entire career with the St. Louis Cardinals before the team declined the option on his contract after the 2021 season. In his last year with the Cardinals, Carpenter batted .169 and hit three home runs in 207 at-bats. He spent spring training with the Texas Rangers, but didn’t make the Opening Day roster and was eventually released in May after spending time with Triple-A Round Rock.
Since joining the Yankees in May, Carpenter is batting .333 with six home runs and a 1.125 slugging percentage.Â
The Yankees also got two home runs Sunday from catcher Kyle Higashioka, who had zero homers through his first 34 games of the season. His second of the day came off Cubs first baseman Frank Schwindel, who threw Higashioka a 35.1 mile per hour pitch that broke a record as the slowest recorded pitch ever hit for a home run.
