Yankees fall to Blue Jays 4-1 on July 22 as Max Scherzer outduels Cam Schlittler. Another Aaron Judge homer isn't enough to stop the slide in the AL East.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a frustratingly familiar story in Toronto on Tuesday night. Another heroic solo shot from Aaron Judge, and another quiet night for the rest of the lineup. The Yankees fell 4-1 to the Blue Jays, dropping a crucial series opener and sliding to a season-high five games back in the AL East. With the trade deadline looming, the loss put the team's biggest needs under a glaring spotlight.
Despite the loss, Aaron Judge continues his torrid pace, now with 37 home runs, a .349 batting average, and a staggering .719 slugging percentage.
The Yankees' bats were simply no match for veteran ace Max Scherzer. The Blue Jays starter was masterful, holding the Bombers to just one run over six dominant innings while racking up eight strikeouts. The lone bright spot, a solo homer from Aaron Judge, was all the offense New York could muster. Yankees starter Cam Schlittler battled, giving up three runs in 5.1 innings, but without any run support, it wasn't nearly enough to stop a red-hot Toronto team that has now won five straight.
While the team struggled, the captain continued to build his Most Valuable Player case. Judge's 37th home run was a towering shot that served as the team's only run. He's now up to 83 RBIs on the season and remains the engine of this offense. It's a double-edged sword for fans: thrilling to watch one of the greatest offensive seasons in recent memory, but agonizing to see it so often happen in a vacuum.
Tuesday's loss amplified the whispers growing around the league: the Yankees need pitching reinforcements, and fast. Reports have linked the front office to bullpen arms like Robert Suarez and Seth Lugo. With the closer role in flux and the starters showing signs of fatigue, the pressure is mounting on the front office to make a significant move before the trade deadline. A reliable setup man or another high-leverage reliever could be the key to turning these close losses into wins.
Amid the big-league struggles, there was a glimmer of hope from the farm system. Hard-throwing righty Carlos Lagrange was officially named to MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospects list, a testament to his breakout season. The 22-year-old has been electric, posting a 3.96 ERA with an incredible 113 strikeouts in just 77.1 innings across High-A and Double-A. He joins infielder George Lombard Jr. as the Yankees' two representatives, providing a comforting reminder of the talent brewing for the future.
The loss stings, especially against a division leader, but the season is far from over. The coming days are critical, both on the field in Toronto and in the front office. All eyes are on Brian Cashman to see if the rumored reinforcements arrive, because as it stands, Aaron Judge can't do it all himself. The Yankees are at a crossroads, and their next moves will define the rest of their 2025 campaign.
