NEW YORK — Carlos Rodon appeared headed for another disappointing outing after surrendering three solo home runs through five innings. But Zack Wheeler’s rare loss of control in the second inning provided the lifeline the New York Yankees desperately needed, leading to a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies Sunday at Yankee Stadium.
The comeback victory prevented a home sweep for the Yankees and ended a three-game losing streak that had dropped them deeper behind the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays. New York came into this game at 56-48, 6.5 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL East lead and occupying the first Wild Card spot in the AL.
Rodon rattles Yankees with command issues
Yankees starter Carlos Rodon surrendered three runs on three solo home runs but managed to keep his team in the game. The left-hander struggled with his location throughout the afternoon.
Two batters later, a 1-2 slider stayed too elevated to Otto Kemp, and the rookie third baseman lined a wall scraper over the short porch for his first career multi-homer game. Kemp launching a center-cut 1-0 fastball to dead center for his second solo shot in as many at-bats to cut New York’s lead to 4-3 in the fifth.
Entering Sunday, Rodón’s 21 starts in 2025 represented a recent split in performance. He began 8–3 through his first 13, with a 2.49 ERA while his opponents batted just .167. In his last eight starts, he’s 2–4 with a 4.20 ERA. His opponents have been hitting .222 during that span.
Wheeler’s uncharacteristic misstep opens door
The Yankees took advantage of an uncharacteristically poor second inning by Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, who is top-10 in MLB in ERA (2.60), ranks second in WHIP behind only Tarik Skubal (0.89) and is fourth in batting average against (.192).
The Phillies struck first in the top of the second when Nick Castellanos deposited a 2-2 changeup down the middle into the left field seats to lead off the inning. Two batters later, rookie Otto Kemp added his own solo shot, lining a wall scraper over the short porch to make it 2-0 Phillies.
But Wheeler’s command deserted him in the bottom half. Giancarlo Stanton led off with a single. Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jasson Dominguez were both hit by pitches, as the Yankees loaded the bases with no outs.
The newly acquired McMahon, playing just his second game in pinstripes since Friday’s trade from Colorado, delivered the key blow. Ryan McMahon was up next. The newly acquired Yankee pulled a grounder down the first-base line just out of the reach of Bryce Harper for a two-run double to tie the game.
Austin Wells hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly and Trent Grisham an RBI single against Wheeler (9-4), who tied his career high with three hit batters — including two in a row in the second. The Yankees quickly turned a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead, cashing in on a series of rare opportunities against one of baseball’s best pitchers.
McMahon shines on both sides
The third baseman acquired to address the Yankees’ defensive weakness at the hot corner made an immediate impact. Acquired Friday from Colorado, McMahon had a pair of hits and made a sliding stop to his glove side at third to throw out Turner in the fifth.
“Definitely helps, right? First impressions are usually pretty big,” McMahon said after the game. “And I want these guys to know that I’m going to try to do everything I can to help this team.”
His defensive gem in the fifth inning drew praise from Rodon. “As you know, it takes time to adjust” in the Bronx, said Rodon, who has lived through the adjustment period himself.
Bullpen snaps skid, delivers in time
Jonathan Loaisiga, Luke Weaver, Tim Hill and Devin Williams combined for one-hit shutout relief, with Williams striking out two in a perfect ninth for his 16th save in 17 chances. The performance was crucial for a bullpen that entered with a big league-worst 7.11 ERA since June 28.
“Sometimes all you need is to have things go your way one time and be able to go on a little roll,” said closer Devin Williams, who completed the challenging four-man relay.
Williams finished without drama, striking out two of the three batters he faced, ending with Kemp, who had tormented Rodon with his two home runs.
The Yankees also added utility man Amed Rosario, acquired via trade from the Washington Nationals on Saturday, to the active roster.
The new phase of hope
New York will open a three-game home set against the Tampa Bay Rays, who sit below the Wild Card threshold, Monday at Yankee Stadium. The series will be crucial as the Yankees try to maintain their wild-card position while dealing with their captain’s injury.
New York stopped a three-game slide ended a sloppy streak of five straight games with errors. New York won without a home run for the first time since June 22, showing they can manufacture runs in different ways.
The trade deadline is Thursday, and with Judge’s injury and the team’s recent struggles, general manager Brian Cashman may feel additional pressure to make moves to bolster the roster for a playoff push.
For now, the Yankees can take solace in McMahon’s promising debut and a bullpen performance that may signal better days ahead. In Judge’s absence, it will indeed take a village to keep the Yankees in contention.
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