Aaron Judge ties A-Rod's HR record (351) as the Yankees beat the Braves 4-2 on July 20, 2025. Marcus Stroman's strong start secures the win. Recap inside.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some home runs are just bigger than others. On a sunny Sunday in Atlanta, Aaron Judge launched a baseball 409 feet that echoed through Yankees history. His first-inning blast wasn't just his 36th of the season; it was the 351st of his career, officially tying Alex Rodriguez for sixth place on the franchise's all-time list. It was a statement shot that set the tone for a gritty 4-2 victory over the Braves, proving once again that when the Captain goes, the Yankees follow.
We’re playing good baseball right now, getting contributions up and down the lineup.
It was a no-doubter from the moment it left the bat. Judge's majestic first-inning homer was a classic display of his power, but the number '351' is what matters. He now sits alongside A-Rod, with only the gods of Yankee lore ahead of him: Yogi Berra (358), Joe DiMaggio (361), Lou Gehrig (493), Mickey Mantle (536), and the immortal Babe Ruth (659). It's a breathtaking list, and at his current pace, Judge could pass Berra and DiMaggio before the summer is out. But Judge wasn't just a slugger today; he was a ballplayer, showcasing his surprising speed by scoring all the way from first on a Jazz Chisholm Jr. double in the seventh, a crucial insurance run that showcased his hustle and leadership.
While Judge's homer grabbed the headlines, Marcus Stroman's performance on the mound might be just as important for the team's long-term hopes. In his fourth start back from a knee injury, Stroman looked every bit the bulldog ace the Yankees need. He delivered his longest outing of the season, carving through the potent Braves lineup for six masterful innings. Giving up just one run on five hits with zero walks is exactly the kind of efficiency this injury-plagued rotation has been desperate for. With Stroman rounding back into form, the pitching staff suddenly looks much more formidable heading into the stretch run.
Manager Aaron Boone praised the team's all-around effort, and he was right. This wasn't a one-man show. Giancarlo Stanton continued his hot hitting, racking up three hits in five at-bats and scoring a run. Veteran Paul Goldschmidt did his part with a key RBI single, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. came through with the big RBI double that brought Judge home. Even Devin Williams, despite serving up a solo shot to Ronald Acuña Jr., shut the door for his 14th save. It was a complete team win, the kind that builds confidence and momentum.
On the injury front, there's a mix of news. The good: Mark Leiter Jr. is throwing again and could be back in the bullpen soon after a session in Toronto, and Yerry De Los Santos has started his rehab assignment. The not-so-good: Ryan Yarbrough's return from an oblique injury is still slow-going, and as we know, Clarke Schmidt is done for the year after his second Tommy John surgery. Getting Stroman back to form is critical with the staff still banged up.
The Yankees leave Atlanta with a massive series win, feeling good about their chances. But there's no time to celebrate. They remain three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East, and guess who's next on the schedule? The team heads to Toronto for a monumental series that could define the division race. With Judge making history and Stroman dealing, the Bombers have the momentum. Now they have to prove it against the team they're chasing.
