DENVER (AP) — The music was cranked up just a little bit louder inside the Colorado Rockies’ clubhouse Friday night. The moods were just a little lighter, too.

In a season that’s quickly barreling toward infamy, the Rockies took advantage of what’s been a rare moment to exhale after a 3-2 win over the AL East-leading New York Yankees. It was one of Colorado’s finest performances this season, from a solid start on the mound to splendid defense to timely hitting as the Rockies stopped a five-game skid.

“You just want to play good ballgames against good teams,” said third baseman Ryan McMahon, whose two-run double in the fifth proved to be the difference. “That’s what we did tonight, and hopefully we can build off of it.”

At 9-42, the Rockies have the most losses through 51 games since 1901. But they now also have a chance at something else — their first series win of the season (they’re currently 0-16). That is, if they can beat the Yankees either Saturday or Sunday.

“It was beautiful to see a complete game out there,” said interim manager Warren Schaeffer, who’s 2-9 since taking over for Bud Black. “It’s just fun. That’s fun baseball.”

Rockies savor 3-2 win over AL East-leading Yankees in a season that's gone historically sour | iNFOnews.ca — Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Zach Agnos reacts after retiring New York Yankees’ Austin Wells to end a baseball game Friday, May 23, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Tanner Gordon gave up two runs in six innings to earn his first major league win. The defense played a pivotal role by turning in a pair of double plays, including one on Aaron Judge in the eighth. Earlier in the game, second baseman Adael Amador made a nifty play to start a 4-6-3 double play. McMahon also had a bare-handed snare on a roller in the ninth to get Anthony Volpe.

“Pitching … was good, offense was good, defense was good,” said McMahon, whose team is 6-20 at Coors Field this season and 3-22 on the road. “So just to play a clean game against a good ball club, it’s good for us.”

The victory by Colorado (.160) over the Yankees (.612) tied the second-largest winning percentage disparity for a team at least 50 games into the season in the expansion era, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

“They made some plays and had a couple of big at-bats to win the game,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone explained. “We couldn’t put together that big inning.”