NEW YORK — Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge turned Yankee Stadium into a showcase of power Friday night. They combined for three home runs against one of the league’s toughest pitchers to lift the Yankees over the Baltimore Orioles 8-4.
The win pushed New York’s streak to six straight, though it did not separate them in the American League East race. Toronto kept pace with a 4-2 victory against Tampa Bay, holding the division edge thanks to a superior head-to-head record over the Yankees this season.
Stanton carried the night with two two-run homers, while Judge added his 52nd of the year. Their offensive surge came off Trevor Rogers, who had given up only three home runs across 106.2 innings before facing the Yankees.
“The two big boys really leaned on a couple,” manager Aaron Boone said after his lineup doubled Rogers’ season total for homers in one night.
Early strike sets aggressive tone against Baltimore ace
The Yankees wasted no time against Rogers, who blanked them a week earlier in Baltimore. Stanton delivered the first blow in the opening frame, crushing a two-run shot on an 0-2 pitch to right-center.
The 397-foot blast left the bat at 109 mph and stood as Stanton’s 22nd homer of the season. It also gave the Yankees their 48th first-inning home run of 2025, breaking a Major League record.
Rogers recovered briefly, working a clean second inning, but the damage in the third swung the night and shifted the standings picture in the division race.
Warren stumbles before power surge rescues Yankees
Will Warren started strong, retiring the first six Orioles on 26 pitches. Trouble arrived in the third, beginning with a two-out infield hit from Coby Mayo.
A walk to Jackson Holliday extended the inning before Jordan Westburg punished an 0-2 sweeper left over the plate. His three-run homer into the left-field seats handed Baltimore a 3-2 lead.
“The main thing is we win,” Warren said. “We talked about it before tonight, we take care of business and go get these three games, then we’ve done all we can do. Everything else is out of our control.”
The Yankees’ deficit did not last. Judge answered in the bottom half with a two-run homer to center. His 423-foot drive came off the bat at 110 mph and was his 52nd of the year.
Stanton’s moonshot extends Yankees advantage
Judge’s homer was followed quickly by another Giancarlo Stanton highlight. Seven pitches later, he launched a 451-foot shot over the visiting bullpen in left-center. The ball jumped off his bat at 112.2 mph, leaving little doubt.
The blast tied him with Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski for 40th on the all-time home run list with 452 career shots. It also gave New York a 6-3 cushion and chased Rogers from the game after only 52 pitches.
“Don’t get me wrong, he hit it great, but that’s not all of it either,” Boone said of Stanton’s second homer. “That’s a good, healthy fly ball to center for us regular people.”
The game marked the 58th time Judge and Stanton homered in the same contest, postseason included. The Yankees are now 51-7 when both go deep.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Stanton said. “I understand the record is in our favor overall when that happens too, so anything to help us get a boost is good.”
Bullpen drama adds late-inning tension
Baltimore did not go quietly. Tyler O’Neill trimmed the margin with a solo homer in the sixth off Warren, ending the rookie’s night.
Warren finished his first full season with a 4.44 ERA across 33 starts. He struck out 171 hitters over 162.1 innings, with Friday’s seven Ks pushing him to the second-highest strikeout total by a rookie in Yankees history.
Mark Leiter Jr. replaced him but quickly loaded the bases after a Paul Goldschmidt error and two walks. Left-hander Tim Hill was summoned and induced Holliday into a groundout to end the threat.
The Yankees tacked on insurance soon after. Austin Wells delivered an RBI single in the sixth, while Stanton added his fifth RBI with a bases-loaded groundout in the seventh to make it 8-4.
MVP credentials continue building for Judge
Judge’s latest performance added weight to his American League MVP case. The 32-year-old captain leads the league with 52 home runs and is hitting .330, putting him in position for a batting title to go along with his power totals.
“Nothing Aaron Judge does surprises me,” Boone said. “To me, he’s the clear-cut MVP. He’s playing like an all-time great.”
Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh remains one of the few challengers, but Judge’s balance of average and slugging has kept him ahead in the race.
Division race remains deadlocked entering final weekend
The Yankees improved to 92-68 with the win, but the Blue Jays maintained their hold on first place with an 8-5 season series advantage. That tiebreaker gives Toronto the inside track to the division crown and a first-round bye.
If New York cannot pass Toronto, the Yankees will host a best-of-three Wild Card series. Possible opponents include Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, or Houston, each battling for the final playoff spots.
The last weekend of the regular season carries high stakes. The Yankees need wins and help from Tampa Bay, who face the Blue Jays.
Friday’s fireworks from Stanton and Judge served as a reminder of their impact in October. Against one of baseball’s stingiest pitchers, the duo showed the kind of form New York will need if they are to make a deep postseason run.
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