NEW YORK — Aaron Judge made history on Thursday night, launching two solo home runs that tied Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio for fourth place on the New York Yankees’ all-time list. The slugger’s 361st career homer grabbed attention, but it was the pitching staff that built the foundation for a 9-3 win over the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium.
The milestone came on the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, a night marked by emotion across New York. Former President Donald Trump attended the game, adding to the charged atmosphere. Judge now sits one homer behind Lou Gehrig and continues to close in on Mickey Mantle’s third-place total of 536.
Schlittler bounces back in crucial spot
Rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler gave the Yankees exactly what they needed after back-to-back blowout defeats. The 24-year-old tossed six strong innings, yielding only one run on three hits with seven strikeouts.
It was a complete turnaround from his prior start against Toronto, where he lasted just 1⅔ innings and gave up four earned runs. Schlittler said he had been working to fix pitch-tipping issues from the stretch.
“Probably not tipping my pitches,” Schlittler said when asked about the change. “That’s something I worked on all week. I think the biggest thing is you’re gonna have those outings, but it’s about what you do after that.”
He showed poise in key spots, particularly during a 26-pitch second inning. After Detroit tied the game 1-1 on Dillon Dingler’s RBI single, Schlittler worked out of trouble. He struck out Parker Meadows and forced Javier Báez into a groundout to avoid further damage.
Relief corps seals the victory
Ryan Yarbrough took the ball in the seventh and worked three innings to collect his first save of 2025. The veteran left-hander allowed two runs and three hits but steadied the game, keeping the Yankees in control.
His effort capped a much-needed response from the pitching staff. Manager Aaron Boone called it “a good win” after New York had been outscored 23-3 in the first two games of the series.
The bullpen’s steadiness prevented what could have been a damaging sweep. With just 16 games left in the regular season, New York could not afford another setback in the playoff race.
Night and day difference from previous disasters
Thursday’s effort stood in sharp contrast to the series’ first two games. Yankees pitchers gave up 23 runs across those contests while the offense produced only three.
Tuesday’s 11-1 loss and Wednesday’s 12-2 rout left the team reeling. Starters exited early, the bullpen faltered, and Yankee Stadium grew restless.
Schlittler’s six innings of one-run ball restored order. Detroit, which had averaged 11.5 runs in the first two games, managed just three on Thursday. The turnaround was a reminder of how quickly momentum can swing.
Yankees offense erupts behind strong pitching
Aaron Judge wasted no time delivering. He opened the scoring in the first inning with a 413-foot solo shot off Tigers opener Tyler Holton on a full count.
In the third, he struck again, this time crushing a 434-foot drive into Detroit’s bullpen off Sawyer Gipson-Long. The blast gave him his 100th RBI of the season, the fourth time in his career he has reached that mark.
“Just two legends, greats of the game, great all-time Yankees,” Judge said. “It’s pretty cool being on a list with them, but I think it’s even cooler getting a win.”
Moments later, Giancarlo Stanton followed with a solo homer of his own. It marked the 56th game in which both Judge and Stanton have homered together. The Yankees improved to 49-7 in such games.
Judge’s two-homer night placed him among the franchise’s elite. Only Babe Ruth (659), Mantle (536), and Gehrig (493) rank ahead. DiMaggio’s total had held firm since 1951, but Judge has now matched it.
The two-time MVP also leads the majors in several categories. He owns a .322 batting average, a .444 on-base percentage, a .671 slugging mark, and a 1.115 OPS. His 46 home runs trail only Seattle’s Cal Raleigh in the American League.
Playoff implications loom large
The win pushed the Yankees to 81-65, a half-game ahead of the Red Sox for the top American League wild card. The two rivals meet at Fenway Park this weekend for a pivotal three-game set. Boston holds an 8-2 edge in the season series.
Schlittler’s rebound start could prove vital. His 3-3 record and 3.05 ERA suggest he can provide stability during the stretch run. Every strong outing from the rotation matters with the postseason on the line.
The night carried added meaning for Judge and his teammates. Trump visited the clubhouse before the game and told the players he believed they would “go all the way.”
“We put on a show. He came in here and told everybody we were gonna win,” Judge said. “Especially today, 9-11, with all the strength and resilience that New York City showed during one of our darkest hours, it’s an important day for all of us to come together.”
The Yankees now shift their focus to Boston with momentum finally back on their side. Judge’s push toward more franchise milestones and the staff’s return to form could be the keys to whether New York extends its season into October.
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