Aaron Judge has been so dominant this year that it’s hard to focus on anyone else capable of beating your favorite team.

Carlos Rodon stepped up last night as the New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-2 at Yankee Stadium.

Rodon (8-3) pitched seven strong innings, giving up five hits and a run. He walked one and struck out eight.

The Yankees’ left-hander retired 17 batters in a row. That almost six 1-2-3 innings!

It’s amazing that the Guardians managed to keep the game close.

DUELING ACES

Tanner Bibee (4-6) matched zeroes with Rodon until the bottom of the fifth. DJ LeMahieu singled to score Jazz Chisholm Jr. with the first run of the game.

Cleveland tied the score in the seventh when David Fry singled to score Jose Ramirez. Fry was making his first start at designated hitter since returning from an elbow injury.

NOT AGAIN!

Bibee got victimized by Chisholm and Anthony Volpe hitting back-to-back home runs. Bibee has given up 14 homers in 12 starts.

Cleveland tried for a late comeback, as pinch-hitter Daniel Schneemann singled to score Carlos Santana in the ninth inning.

Schneemann stole second, putting the tying run in scoring position. However, Yankees closer Devin Williams retired Bo Naylor on a flyout to earn his sixth save.

The series will continue tonight at 7:05 on Amazon Prime Video. Cleveland will send Luis Ortiz (2-6) to the mound against the Yankees’ Clarke Schmidt (2-2).