Ryan McMahon lined a tiebreaking double with one out in the fifth inning against his former team, Cam Schlittler pitched seven strong innings, and the host New York Yankees made Aaron Judge’s return from the injured list a successful one with a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.
The Yankees (82-62) won for the 14th time in 21 games and matched a season-high by moving 20 games over .500 in Judge’s first game since May 31.
After missing 84 games with a fractured right rib, Judge went hitless in three at-bats, struck out twice and did not make any plays while handling right field for six innings.
Following a single by rookie George Lombard Jr., McMahon lined a pitch from Colorado rookie starter Gabriel Hughes (0-7) off the bottom of the right field fence to easily score New York’s rookie shortstop.
Luis Garcia Jr. hit a run-scoring single in the first that plated Cody Bellinger when left fielder Jake McCarthy was charged with two errors. McCarthy kicked the ball and made an errant throw to the plate that eluded catcher Hunter Goodman.
Schlittler (13-6) allowed one run on three hits in seven innings to win his third decision in four starts (all team wins). The right-hander struck out 10 without a walk and allowed one run or fewer for the sixth straight start and 20th time overall.
McMahon’s clutch hit and Schlittler’s latest strong showing helped the Yankees clinch their 34th straight winning season. New York has not had a losing season since finishing 76-86 in 1992.
Heliot Ramos replaced Judge in right field after the sixth and contributed a three-run homer in the eighth to pad the lead. Ramos’ homer proved crucial for the Yankees when Tim Hill allowed a two-run homer to Hunter Goodman in the ninth.
After Goodman hit his 37th homer, David Bednar fanned Mickey Moniak for his 32nd save.
Adael Amador hit a tying homer to open the third as the Rockies (55-89) dropped their fifth straight road game and fell to 25-48 away from home.
In his 12th career appearance, Hughes allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits in five innings. The right-hander and former first-round pick struck out six and walked none.
Judge was activated after going through a round of live batting practice. He struck out swinging in the first, flew out in front of the warning track in center field in the fourth and took a called third strike on a full count in the sixth against rookie reliever Mark Manfredi.
–Field Level Media
