Yankees’ Will Warren accomplishes impressive feat in stellar start vs. Royals

Fans of the New York Yankees received two treats against the Kansas City Royals Saturday. Ben Rice blasting a deep home run rose as one. But the second involved Will Warren hitting a new feat.

The right-handed pitcher executed 11 punchouts, now matching a career-high.

11 punchouts for Will Warren!

He matches his career high in strikeouts across 7 strong innings

(MLB x @Abbvie) pic.twitter.com/0BLFFjfUug

— MLB (@MLB) April 18, 2026

Warren fired an array of heat on the mound for manager Aaron Boone and the Yanks. Plus overcame a brief rough start in the 13-4 Yankees rout.

Maikel Garcia ripped a double to left field on the game’s opening pitch, which was off a 93 miles per hour fastball. Warren responded by striking out the next two batters Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino, fanning both with four-seamers. Jac Caglianone hit a fly out to center for the third and final out.

Warren then left no one on base during the second inning: Striking out two more and forcing one ground out toward the shortstop Anthony Volpe. The Yankees starter prevented walks and hits at the top of the third too, including forcing a ground and fly out.

Witt Jr. pounded a single to center in the fourth facing Warren. Warren got the Yankees out of the inning off Caglianone’s fly out.

The 26-year-old fanned three more batters after a Carter Jensen single during the top of the fifth. Warren pivoted to 94-95 mph sinkers in creating the last two strikeouts during that inning. The native of Branson, Miss., left no one on base in the sixth. Jensen eventually broke up Warren’s impressive run by powering a 357-foot home run in the top of the seventh.

Warren earned a “household name” label before the Yankees’ 2026 season. He showed his traits during the spring. NYY rode his arm to the romp.

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