Aaron Judge homered in his return, but the Yankees' bullpen collapsed in an 8-5 loss to the Rangers on Aug. 6. Read how the Yanks' 5th straight loss unfolded.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of whiplash for Yankees fans. One moment, you're celebrating the return of the Captain, Aaron Judge, as he launches a go-ahead home run. The next, you're watching the bullpen crumble yet again, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in a soul-crushing 8-5, 10-inning loss to the Rangers. It was the team's fifth straight loss, a painful skid that perfectly encapsulated why the front office just executed a massive bullpen overhaul. Help is here, but it didn't arrive in time to save this one.
We have to find a way to close out games. The new arms will help, but we need to execute better in big spots.
The script felt painfully familiar. Carlos Rodón battled through six innings, giving up four runs but keeping the team in it. The offense, sparked by a solo shot from Gleyber Torres and a massive 3-run blast from the newly activated Aaron Judge, clawed its way to a 5-4 lead. It was all there for the taking. But the ninth inning brought the usual dread, as the Rangers tied it, and the tenth brought the collapse, with Clay Holmes and Tommy Kahnle unable to stop the bleeding. The loss dropped the Yanks to 60-54, a season-high 6.5 games out of first in the AL East.
While the on-field product was frustrating, the front office was busy. In a stunning bullpen makeover, the Yankees acquired two elite relievers: Camilo Doval from the Giants and David Bednar from the Pirates. These aren't just depth pieces; they are high-leverage, late-inning arms meant to immediately stop the bleeding that has plagued this team for weeks. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed both will be available immediately. The team also added veteran starter Kenta Maeda on a minor league deal for depth and made smaller moves for versatile utility man José Caballero and RHP Jake Bird, signaling a clear, all-in effort to patch the roster's holes.
The brightest spot on a dark day was the return of #99. Activated from the 10-day IL just before the game, Aaron Judge didn't miss a beat. He went 2-for-5 and his towering home run was a welcome sight for a lineup that has sputtered in his absence. His return is the single biggest offensive boost the Yankees could ask for down the stretch. Unfortunately, his activation came as outfielder Austin Slater hit the IL with a hamstring strain, a reminder of the team's ongoing battle with injuries.
So where do the Yankees go from here? The five-game losing streak is ugly, and the +12 run differential suggests this team is playing with fire. But the script has been flipped. The bullpen, the team's Achilles' heel, has been transformed overnight with the additions of Doval and Bednar. The Captain is back in the heart of the order. There are no more excuses. The bleeding must stop now. The next game isn't just another game; it's the first test of a re-forged team trying to save its season.
