Yankees lose 11-9 to the Blue Jays on July 3, 2025, blowing an 8-run lead despite Aaron Judge's 31st HR. Read how the devastating collapse happened.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
For the first time since April 14, the New York Yankees are not in sole possession of first place in the AL East. In a gut-wrenching, see-saw battle that felt more like a fever dream, the Bombers coughed up a massive eight-run lead to the Toronto Blue Jays, ultimately falling 11-9 in a game that will sting for a while.
Aaron Judge now leads the majors with a .363 batting average and sits second with 31 home runs. A one-man wrecking crew.
It was a wild one from the start, but the ending was pure pain. After building what felt like an insurmountable lead, the Yankees watched it all crumble. Starter Will Warren had a night to forget, getting shelled for a career-high-tying eight runs on ten hits in just four innings. Despite the pitching woes, the offense clawed back. The climax came in the eighth inning when Aaron Judge, who else, blasted a two-run shot to tie the game at 9-9, sending the Stadium into a frenzy. But the joy was short-lived. A wild pitch from Devin Williams in the bottom of the frame allowed George Springer to score the go-ahead run, sealing the devastating loss and knotting the Yankees and Jays atop the division at 48-38.
If there was one positive to take from the wreckage, it was the continued otherworldly performance of Aaron Judge. The Captain was simply magnificent, going 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, three RBIs, and his 31st homer of the year. His efforts single-handedly dragged the team back into the game. This performance is just another entry in his airtight case for the AL MVP award, a campaign that has him leading the majors with a .363 batting average. It's no surprise he was just named an All-Star for the seventh time, leading all players in voting. He's doing everything he can, but even Superman needs a little help.
While Judge thrives, the pitching staff is showing cracks. Warren's blow-up start put the team in a massive hole they couldn't quite escape, and Williams' crucial wild pitch was the final nail in the coffin. It's a stark reminder that this team's championship aspirations hinge on more than just home runs. On a brighter note, the future continues to develop down on the farm. Top prospects like George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones, and Roderick Arias are progressing, offering hope that reinforcements are on the horizon for years to come.
The cushion is gone. The division lead the Yankees held for nearly three months has vanished overnight. Now, the real test begins. This loss to a direct rival hurts, but the season is long. The Bombers have to flush this one, get their pitching in order, and come back ready to prove that Thursday was an anomaly, not the new normal. The AL East race just got a whole lot more interesting.
