NEW YORK (AP) — Jasson Domínguez delivered a perfect 3-for-3 performance, including a decisive three-run double, propelling the New York Yankees to a 4-2 triumph over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. Max Fried (3-0) fanned seven batters over 6 2/3 innings as the Yankees overcame a 2-0 shortfall with a four-run surge in the sixth, aided by a trio of consecutive two-out walks.

New York aims for a series sweep on Wednesday in a rematch of last October’s AL Division Series, where the Yankees bested the Royals in four games. MJ Melendez hit a home run and Bobby Witt Jr. contributed an RBI double off the right-center wall in the third for the Royals, who have now lost four of their last five games and hold a 2-6 record on the road.

They have been defeated in 19 of their last 20 completed series against the Yankees since May 2015, including playoff matchups. Luke Weaver successfully retired Maikel Garcia with two runners on base to conclude the seventh inning and managed to set down all four batters he faced. Devin Williams pitched a flawless ninth inning to secure his third save.

Michael Wacha (0-3) was in the midst of a four-hit shutout when he issued walks to Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Anthony Volpe, loading the bases in the sixth inning. Angel Zerpa, struggling with his PitchCom device, walked Austin Wells on four pitches, forcing in a run. Domínguez, who had previously hit two singles batting left-handed against Wacha, then drove a 1-2 fastball down the left-field line while batting right-handed against Zerpa, accidentally knocking his own helmet off with his follow-through swing.

A pivotal moment came when defensive substitute Trent Grisham made an impressive running catch in deep center field with a runner on base, thwarting a potential Royals rally in the seventh. Key statistic: Melendez was hitting .077 with just one extra-base hit this season when he homered into the Yankees’ bullpen at the start of the third inning, ending an 0-for-18 drought.

Up next, Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (2-1, 0.96 ERA) is set to start the series finale on Wednesday night against right-hander Clarke Schmidt, who is scheduled to make his season debut after recovering from rotator cuff tendinitis. Schmidt posted a 5-5 record with a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts last season, and the Yankees are counting on his return to bolster a struggling rotation missing ace Gerrit Cole and 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil due to long-term injuries.