Yankees Clinch 34th Straight Winning Season as Judge Returns Hitless
Source: ABC News Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees walked away from Tuesday night with more than just a 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. They secured their 34th consecutive winning season, a testament to sustained excellence that spans more than three decades. But the night carried an extra layer of intrigue: the long-awaited return of Aaron Judge.
Judge stepped back onto the field for the first time since May 31, having missed 84 games after fracturing a rib. The reigning MVP’s absence had been a significant void in the lineup, but his return offered a glimpse of hope for a team eyeing a deep postseason run. However, his night at the plate was less than celebratory. Judge struck out swinging in the first inning with a runner on base, flied out in the fourth, and took a called third strike in the sixth. As planned, he was replaced in right field in the seventh by Oswaldo Cabrera, ending his evening with an 0-for-3 line.
While Judge searched for his timing, Cam Schlittler provided the Yankees with all the stability they needed on the mound. The right-hander struck out 10 over seven masterful innings, allowing just one run on three hits without issuing a walk. It was the fourth time this season he reached double-digit strikeouts, and he lowered his American League-best ERA to 2.01. Schlittler has now allowed one run or fewer in 20 starts this year, the most in the majors and a new Yankees franchise record. His performance was exactly what manager Aaron Boone needed from his rotation after a grueling stretch.
The game turned in the fifth inning when Ryan McMahon, facing his former team for the first time since being traded from Colorado to New York in July 2025, stepped up against rookie right-hander Gabriel Hughes. With two outs and runners on second and third, McMahon ripped a double off the bottom of the right-field wall, driving in the go-ahead run and giving the Yankees a 2-1 lead. It was a moment of redemption for McMahon, who had struggled in his return to Coors Field earlier in the season.
After Judge exited, Heliot Ramos provided the knockout punch in the eighth inning. With a three-run homer, Ramos extended the Yankees' lead to 5-1, offering a cushion that proved necessary. The Rockies didn't go quietly. Hunter Goodman connected for his 37th home run of the season, a two-run shot off reliever Tim Hill with two outs in the ninth, cutting the lead to 5-3. But closer David Bednar locked down the win, striking out Mickey Moniak on three pitches to earn his 32nd save in 35 chances.
Defensive miscues also fueled the Yankees' early offense. In the first inning, Rockies left fielder Jake McCarthy committed two errors on a single by Luis García Jr., allowing Cody Bellinger to score from first. McCarthy let the ball glance off his glove, then kicked it, and his throw skipped past catcher Hunter Goodman, leading to a charged throwing error.
Injury concerns briefly surfaced late in the game when Jazz Chisholm Jr. jammed his right thumb on a headfirst slide in the eighth. He was replaced by José Caballero at second base with one out in the ninth. The severity is unknown, but the Yankees will monitor the situation closely as they push for the playoffs.
Adael Amador put the Rockies on the board first with a solo home run in the third inning, but Schlittler quickly settled and retired 10 of the next 11 batters he faced. Colorado’s starter, Gabriel Hughes, fell to 0-7 after allowing two runs on four hits over five innings.
The win keeps the Yankees four games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East and three games ahead of the Boston Red Sox for the top American League wild-card spot. Their 34th straight winning season is the second-longest active streak in major American sports, behind only the Yankees’ own remarkable run of 39 consecutive winning seasons from 1926 to 1964.
Looking ahead, the series continues Wednesday night when the Rockies send right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (12-8, 5.19 ERA) to the mound against Yankees righty Will Warren (9-6, 4.16 ERA).
Article commentary
The Yankees’ streak of 34 consecutive winning seasons is a staggering achievement in modern sports, a reflection of organizational stability, financial resources, and consistent player development. Yet Tuesday night’s game also highlighted the delicate balance between celebrating a franchise milestone and focusing on the immediate challenges ahead. Aaron Judge’s return was a significant emotional boost, but his 0-for-3 night underscored the rust that often follows a long layoff. With 84 games missed, Judge will need time to regain his timing and comfort at the plate. The Yankees are unlikely to rush him, especially given his importance to their postseason aspirations. The fact that he was lifted early, as planned, suggests a measured approach. But the team cannot afford a prolonged adjustment period; they are in a tight race for both the division and wild-card positioning. Cam Schlittler’s emergence as a frontline starter has been one of the brightest storylines of the season. His 2.01 ERA and ability to limit damage consistently have made him the anchor of a rotation that has dealt with injuries and inconsistency from others. His record of 20 starts allowing one run or fewer is not just a Yankees mark but a testament to his precision and poise. If Schlittler can maintain this level into October, New York’s rotation looks formidable. However, the bullpen remains a concern. Tim Hill’s shaky ninth inning, allowing a two-run homer, was a reminder that the relievers are not infallible. David Bednar’s save was reassuring, but the Yankees will need more reliable bridging from the middle relief. The injury to Jazz Chisholm Jr. adds another layer of uncertainty to the lineup depth. Losing Chisholm's versatility for any length of time would be a blow, especially with Judge still re-acclimating. Offensively, the Yankees continue to rely on timely hitting rather than sustained rallies. Heliot Ramos’s three-run homer provided the necessary cushion, but the team stranded runners and struck out too often—Judge’s two strikeouts are part of a larger issue. The Yankees rank in the middle of the league in strikeout rate, and against elite pitching in October, that could be problematic. From the Rockies’ perspective, the game showed flashes of promise despite the loss. Hunter Goodman’s 37th home run continues a breakout power season, and the defense of Jake McCarthy may have cost them, but the rebuilding club is seeing its young core develop. Gabriel Hughes struggled again, but the team is giving valuable innings to its prospect. Ultimately, the Yankees’ streak is a historic achievement, but it also carries a burden of expectation. Winning seasons are a baseline; this franchise measures success in championships. With Judge back and Schlittler anchoring the staff, New York has the pieces to make a deep run. But the margin for error is thin in the American League, where Tampa Bay, Boston, and Houston loom large. The next few weeks will determine whether this streak is simply a footnote or the beginning of something greater.