Yankees

Cam Schlittler Strikes Out 10 as Yankees Win Aaron Judge’s Return

By ••4 min read
Cam Schlittler Strikes Out 10 as Yankees Win Aaron Judge’s Return

AI Overview

Cam Schlittler dominated in Aaron Judge’s return, striking out 10 over seven innings as the Yankees defeated the Rockies 5-3 at Yankee Stadium. Judge went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his first game since May 31, while Heliot Ramos hit a three-run homer and David Bednar earned his 32nd save. New York improved to 82-62 and clinched its 34th consecutive winning season.

Aaron Judge finally returned to the Yankees lineup Tuesday night.

But once again, Cam Schlittler made sure the biggest story on the field was him.

Schlittler struck out 10 over 7 dominant innings, Heliot Ramos delivered the late knockout blow, and the Yankees beat the Colorado Rockies 5-3 at Yankee Stadium to improve to 82-62 and clinch their 34th consecutive winning season.

Judge’s return after missing 84 games certainly brought the energy back to the Bronx, even if the captain didn’t immediately bring the offense with him.

Judge went 0-for-3 with 2 strikeouts in his first game since May 31. He struck out swinging in the 1st, flew out to center in the 4th and was caught looking in the 6th before being replaced by Ramos in right field to begin the 7th.

That was all part of the plan.

And thankfully for the Yankees, they didn’t need Judge to carry them Tuesday.

Cam Schlittler Keeps Doing Ridiculous Things

The Yankees gave Schlittler a run immediately in the bottom of the 1st, although Colorado’s defense did most of the work.

Ben Rice was hit by a pitch before Cody Bellinger reached on a fielder’s choice. After Judge struck out, Luis García Jr. singled into left-center. Rockies left fielder Jake McCarthy couldn’t handle the ball cleanly, then made matters worse trying to get the ball back in, allowing Bellinger to score.

ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement

Schlittler took it from there.

Colorado’s only damage against him came in the 3rd when Adael Amador hit a solo home run to right-center to tie the game 1-1.

Otherwise?

Forget about it.

Schlittler allowed only 3 hits and 1 run across 7 innings. He didn’t walk anybody and punched out 10 on 96 pitches, improving to 13-6 while lowering his American League-leading ERA to 2.01.

He has now allowed 1 run or fewer in 20 starts this season.

Twenty.

At this point, the Cy Young conversation isn’t some fun September debate anymore. Schlittler belongs right in the middle of it.

Ryan McMahon Burns His Former Team

The Yankees finally took the lead back in the bottom of the 5th.

George Lombard Jr. beat out an infield single before Ryan McMahon, facing the Rockies for the first time since Colorado traded him to New York in 2025, ripped a double off the bottom of the right-field wall.

Lombard scored easily, giving the Yankees a 2-1 lead.

It stayed that way until the 8th, when Ramos made sure Judge’s replacement had his own moment.

Rice opened the inning with a walk and Bellinger followed with a double to left-center. With 2 runners in scoring position, Ramos crushed Brennan Bernardino’s pitch over the center-field wall for a 3-run homer.

Just like that, 2-1 became 5-1.

Huge swing.

Ramos entered the game in the 7th inning and needed exactly 1 at-bat to make his presence felt.

The Yankees Couldn’t Make It Completely Easy

Of course, nothing around this team can ever finish without at least a little drama.

Tim Hill entered the 9th with a 4-run lead and retired the first 2 hitters before walking T.J. Rumfield. Hunter Goodman then launched his 37th home run of the season, a 2-run shot that suddenly cut the Yankees’ lead to 5-3.

Aaron Boone went to David Bednar, and Bednar needed only 3 pitches to strike out Mickey Moniak and close the door for his 32nd save.

There was also another injury to watch. Jazz Chisholm Jr. jammed his right thumb on a headfirst slide in the 8th and José Caballero replaced him defensively in the 9th.

The Yankees remain 4 games behind Tampa Bay in the AL East, but they moved 3 games ahead of Boston for the top American League Wild Card spot.

Judge is back.

Schlittler still looks like an ace.

And with 18 games remaining, the Yankees officially have their captain again for the part of the season that actually matters most.

NYY.NEWS SHOP - MEMORABILIA, CLOTHING & MORE