Yankees Ride Strong Pitching, Power Bats to 5-2 Win Over Rangers

The New York Yankees improved to 28-19 on the season with a 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers on Monday night at Yankee Stadium. With standout performances from starting pitcher Will Warren and key offensive contributions from Ben Rice and Aaron Judge, the Yankees tightened their hold on first place in the American League East.

This win marked a balanced effort from the Bronx Bombers, combining efficient pitching, timely hitting, and clean defense to take the series opener from a Rangers team that entered the night just one game above .500.

Will Warren Dominates on the Mound

Right-hander Will Warren delivered his strongest outing of the season, throwing 5.2 scoreless innings. He allowed five hits and just one walk while striking out 10 batters. The Rangers struggled to make solid contact, and Warren consistently worked ahead in counts to keep their lineup in check.

Warren’s outing not only provided much-needed length, but also handed the bullpen a favorable situation heading into the late innings. He earned the win, improving to 3-2 on the season and lowering his ERA to 4.05.

The Yankees’ bullpen followed Warren’s lead with a string of high-leverage appearances. Mark Leiter Jr. was first out of the pen and retired all four batters he faced, striking out two over 1.1 innings. Devin Williams then handled the 8th inning, allowing one hit and striking out two more.

Ian Hamilton encountered trouble in the 9th, surrendering two earned runs on two hits and one walk while recording just two outs. With momentum swinging toward Texas, Luke Weaver entered the game and induced a key out to end the inning. He returned for the ninth to record the final three outs and earn his sixth save of the season. Weaver now owns a 0.44 ERA, making him one of the most effective relievers in baseball to date.

Overall, Yankees pitching combined for 14 strikeouts and just two walks, limiting the Rangers to two runs on eight hits over nine innings.

Rice Sparks the Offense

Ben Rice was the first to get the Yankees on the board, launching a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning off Rangers starter Patrick Corbin. The shot, his 10th of the season, came with two outs and no one on. Rice also contributed a sacrifice fly in the 4th inning, collecting his 22nd and 23rd RBIs of the year and finishing the night with five total bases.

The rookie catcher has continued to provide steady offense in the middle of the order, now reaching double digits in home runs and providing power from the left side of the plate.

A Serving of Rice 🍚 pic.twitter.com/nIwDLeGU12

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 20, 2025

Judge Adds Insurance with 16th Home Run

Aaron Judge continued his powerful month with a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning off reliever Tyler Boushley. The blast, his 16th of the season, came with no outs and extended the Yankees’ lead from 3-0 to 5-0. Judge finished the game with two RBIs and five total bases, boosting his season RBI total to 43.

In addition to his contributions at the plate, Judge also stole his fourth base of the year, swiping second in the third inning. His all-around performance further reinforced his standing as one of the most impactful players in the American League.

Judge Jolt 💪#AllRise pic.twitter.com/zh1cuKTGu6

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 21, 2025

Supporting Cast Contributes

Anthony Volpe chipped in with a two-out RBI single, his 26th RBI of the season, and collected a pair of total bases. His offensive production at the top of the order continues to complement his defensive consistency at shortstop.

Trent Grisham contributed two total bases and provided solid outfield defense, while Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt also added singles. Bellinger was caught stealing second base in the 4th inning, the only baserunning miscue of the night.

Despite some missed chances — the team went 2-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left five runners on base — the Yankees made the most of their opportunities, particularly with two outs. Both Rice and Volpe drove in runs in two-out situations.

Defensive Efficiency

The Yankees played error-free defense and turned one double play, a key moment handled by catcher Austin Wells and second baseman DJ LeMahieu. The team’s defense, while not flashy in this outing, was effective and reliable — an important component in supporting the strong pitching performance.

Will Warren strikes him out, Austin Wells THROWS him out! pic.twitter.com/bZkauIVQz2

— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) May 20, 2025

Rangers Offense Held Quiet

The Rangers, who dropped to 25-24 with the loss, failed to mount much offense until the eighth inning. They were unable to score off Warren, Leiter Jr., or Williams, and managed just two late runs off Hamilton before Weaver shut the door.

Starter Patrick Corbin took the loss, falling to 3-3 on the season. The veteran left-hander allowed one run on four hits over six innings, striking out five and walking one. His only major mistake came on the home run to Rice.

The Rangers bullpen surrendered four more runs over the final two innings, including the two-run homer to Judge. Offensively, they tallied eight hits but failed to convert scoring opportunities earlier in the game, leaving multiple runners stranded.

Game Summary

W: Warren (3-2)
L: Corbin (3-3)
S: Weaver (6)

Standout Stats and Takeaways

• Will Warren: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K – Best start of the year.
• Ben Rice: 1 HR, 1 SF, 2 RBIs, 5 TB – Continues breakout rookie* campaign.
• Aaron Judge: 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 5 TB, 1 SB – Leads the Yankees in home runs (16) and RBIs (43).
• Lucas Weaver: 6th save, ERA drops to 0.44.
• Anthony Volpe: 2 total bases, 1 RBI – Reaching base consistently and contributing in clutch spots.

The Yankees improved to 16-9 at home and further solidified their hold on first place in the division. With another series win within reach, the team is building momentum heading into a stretch of games that will test their depth and consistency.

What’s Next

The Yankees will continue their series with the Rangers on Tuesday night. Clarke Schmidt is expected to take the mound for New York, while the Rangers are projected to start right-hander Dane Dunning.

The Yankees will aim to build on this performance, relying once again on strong starting pitching and middle-of-the-order power to carry them forward.

NYYNEWS Analysis

This win was a well-rounded team effort. Warren’s outing showed growth and command, while the offense was anchored by its rising stars in Rice and established leaders like Judge. The bullpen remains a strength, and Weaver’s ability to slam the door in tight situations has become a major asset.

If the Yankees can maintain this balance between pitching and offense, they are poised to stay atop the AL East well into the summer months.