Yankees Reactions: Aaron Judge with a Walk-Off Homer helps Yanks Split with Rays
The Yankees have their first walk-off homer of 2026!
NEW YORK — Boy did the Yankees need that. It took five games before the Yankees stole one against the Rays. The Yankees won 2-0 on a walk-off two-run home run by Aaron Judge.
The offense was shut down throughout the course of the game, until the bottom of the ninth. Multiple double plays were turned in the game, both offensively and defensively, but the Yankees were able to earn the split against the Rays.
The Turning Point
A walk lead off the bottom of the ninth. Rays reliever Bryan Baker was up 0-2 in the count to Trent Grisham, who had two hits against him in his career. Grisham then took four straight pitches out of the strike zone and drew a walk in front of Aaron Judge.
Judge had two hits in the game, but grounded into one of what was many double plays in the game. After a mound visit by the Rays, Baker delt a 92.5 mph Sinker on the inside corner that Judge powered out of the ballpark for a walk-off two-run home run to right center field. If anyone needed a big hit like that, it was Judge, given his recent slump.
Game Notes & Takeaways
Mastery on the Mound: Ryan Weathers was spectacular. He twirled seven shutout innings against an aggressive and scrappy Rays offense. There were a fair mix of strikeouts, but also a lot of first-pitch outs, which helped him maintain his pitch count to under 100 in the outing.
The Yankees then gave way to the bullpen, that as always makes you sweat. Tim Hill and Fernando Cruz both had runners on base in their innings, but were able to wiggle out of jams.
Defensive Wizardry: Cody Bellinger saved the game in the top of the eighth inning. On a day where the Yankees offense was not recording hits, the Yankees needed to lean into the “run prevention” gear they have at times. Grisham threw out Junior Caminero going to third base after Ryan Vilade singled into left. Because of Bellinger’s play, the go-ahead run could not score.
On the Horizon
The Yankees will now head to Kansas City to face the Royals in a three-game series. It will be RHP Will Warren on the mound for the Yankees. For the Royals, it will be RHP Michael Wacha, who has dealt against the Yankees in his career. It will be a 3:40 pm start on ESPN tomorrow for Memorial Day.