Carpenter, Cole pace Yankees’ win

CLEVELAND — Matt Carpenter’s days as a major leaguer were dwindling. A few subtle tweaks to his swing brought him back.

So did playing for the Yankees.

Carpenter homered twice and drove in four runs and Gerrit Cole brushed off giving up back-to-back home runs, leading New York to a 13-4 romp over the Cleveland Guardians in the first game of a split doubleheader on Saturday.

A three-time All-Star in St. Louis, the 36-year-old Carpenter signed with New York in May after being released as a minor league player by Texas.

All he’s done in a reserve role is hit eight homers in 41 at-bats — he had just seven combined homers the past two seasons — and come through every time manager Aaron Boone has called on him.

“You’re seeing a rejuvenated guy,” Boone said. Carpenter said the chance to play for baseball’s most storied team has lifted him.

“I feel like a little kid every time I put the uniform on,” he said. “The franchise that is just iconic, and I’m just grateful to be able to put it on every day and go out and play, and when I get my opportunities just try to make the most of them.”

Cole (7-2) was tagged for consecutive homers in the second inning by Josh Naylor and Franmil Reyes before settling in. The righthander allowed Cleveland just one other hit and struck out six.

DJ LeMahieu added a solo shot off rookie Kirk McCarty (0-2).

In winning 24 of its last 30 games, New York improved to 57-21, tying the 2001 Seattle Mariners for the second-best start after 78 games since 1930. Only the 1998 Yankees (58-20) were better.

Rays 6, Blue Jays 2: Shane McClanahan allowed one run in seven innings, lowering his AL-leading ERA to 1.74, Wander Franco and Isaac Paredes hit solo home runs, and Tampa Bay snapped a season-long four-game losing streak with a win at Toronto in

Game 1 of a doubleheader.

Twins 4, Orioles 3: Jorge Polanco hit a tying homer and Jose Miranda delivered a game-ending single as Minnesota rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Baltimore.

Pirates 7, Brewers 4: Michael Chavis and Oneil Cruz homered and Bryse Wilson pitched six strong innings as host Pittsburgh defeated Milwaukee. Wilson (1-4) allowed two runs on eight hits and struck out four.