Judge hits a game-winning double play, and the Reds beat the slumping Yankees 3-2 thanks to Abbott and the pen

By MIKE FITZPATRICK

NEW YORK (AP) — Andrew Abbott had a two-hit shutout in the seventh inning and reliever Fernando Cruz forced Aaron Judge into a key double play, giving the Cincinnati Reds a 3-2 victory over the struggling New York Yankees on Wednesday night.

Noelvi Marte hit a two-run home run and Stuart Fairchild also connected for the Reds, who handed Carlos Rodón (9-6) its fourth straight loss and won consecutive one-run games at Yankee Stadium for their first series win since June 6-9.

Cincinnati was 0-4-2 in the previous six series after winning three of four games against the Chicago Cubs.

Anthony Volpe broke the streak with an 18-run double in the seventh inning off Cruz, who then threw a wild pass that plated Juan Soto to put the varsity on the corners to make it 3-2.

But after a visit from pitching coach Derek Johnson, the right-handed pitcher forced Judge into a double play around the corner that ended the inning. An excited Cruz threw a huge fist pump and screamed with joy as he walked off the mound.

Judge started the day leading the league in home runs (32), RBI (83) and OPS (1.158).

Justin Wilson struck out pinch-hitter Trent Grisham with two bases loaded to end the eighth inning. Alexis Díaz picked up his 19th save in 21 attempts, drawing a double play from Volpe that erased a walk that led off a hitless ninth inning.

New York (54-34) lost for the 12th time in 16 games and is 0-5-1 in its last six series.

Abbott (8-6) allowed one run and three hits in 6 1/3 innings, improving to 5-1 in his last six starts.

Tyler Stephenson singled in the second period for Cincinnati, and Marte sent an 0-1 fastball just inside the left foul pole for his fourth major league home run and first of the season, snapping a career-worst 0-16 streak.

The rookie third baseman returned Thursday from an 80-game suspension following a positive drug test, starting the evening with a .150 average with two RBIs.

Fairchild was just ahead of a slider to start the fifth inning, but he sent the ball 362 feet to the left-field corner for his fifth home run.

Those were the only three hits allowed by Rodón, who had rebounded somewhat from three straight ugly outings. The two-time All-Star struck out eight and issued two walks in 5 1/3 innings — but it wasn’t the total he wanted.

Removed after 95 pitches, Rodón slowly walked off the mound to the gentle applause of the Fireworks Night crowd of 47,646 and yelled into his glove as he approached the dugout. The $162 million left-hander is 0-4 with a 10.89 ERA in his last four starts after going 7-0 with a 2.28 ERA in his previous seven.

TRAINER’S OFFICE

Reds: LHP Nick Lodolo (finger blister) threw 20 balls against batters and is expected to pitch as a reliever in a few days. He is still on track to come off the injured list and start next Tuesday against Colorado. … RF Blake Dunn was recalled from Triple-A Louisville and was ninth in his Yankee Stadium debut. INF/OF Levi Jordan was optioned to Louisville. Dunn made his major league debut for Cincinnati in early June, appearing in seven games with three starts in left field. He went 1-for-10 with a double. He was on the Triple-A injured list from June 23-29 with a cut from a ball he hit in the face.

Yankees: Soto appeared slightly shaken when his right arm and shoulder struck the right-field fence while catching a ball in the second inning. He remained in the game. Soto was named to his fourth All-Star Game Wednesday night, his first as a starter.

IN THE FUTURE

Reds RHP Frankie Montas (3-6, 4.23 ERA) will face one of his former teams in the series finale on Thursday afternoon. Montas is 1-6 in 13 starts since April 9, but has pitched in a hapless fashion recently with little run support. RHP Marcus Stroman (7-3, 3.29) is headed to New York.

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