Aaron Judge's 38th homer isn't enough as the Yankees' bullpen falters in a 5-3 loss to the Phillies on July 25, 2025, snapping their four-game win streak.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The familiar script of Aaron Judge's brilliance followed by late-inning heartbreak played out at Yankee Stadium on Friday, as the Yankees' four-game winning streak came to a halt. Despite another towering home run from the captain, the bullpen couldn't protect a lead, faltering in the late innings to hand the Philadelphia Phillies a 5-3 series-opening victory.
We have to keep grinding. It's a tough loss, but we'll bounce back tomorrow.
The game started with promise. Nestor Cortes delivered a solid performance, battling through six innings while allowing just two runs, one via a Kyle Schwarber homer. The Yankees' offense, quiet for much of the night, came alive in the 4th when Gleyber Torres laced a two-run double to give them a brief lead. Later, Aaron Judge did what he does best, launching a solo shot in the 6th to tie the game at 2-2. But the momentum shifted dramatically in the 8th when Trea Turner drove in the go-ahead run, and the Phillies tacked on more in the 9th, exposing the Yankees' bullpen vulnerabilities once again.
Even in a loss, Aaron Judge continues to build his case for a second MVP award. His 38th home run of the season was another no-doubter, and he continues to lead the American League in the Triple Crown categories with a staggering .346 batting average, 38 homers, and 85 RBIs. His .719 slugging percentage is otherworldly. While his individual heroics are must-see TV, games like this highlight the team's need for more consistent support around him.
Friday's loss put a magnifying glass on the team's most glaring issue: the bullpen. With key high-leverage arms like Fernando Cruz (and his league-leading 41.2% strikeout rate) and Yerry De Los Santos on the injured list, the cracks are showing. While De Los Santos is on a rehab assignment, Cruz isn't expected back until August. The recent acquisition of Geoff Hartlieb feels like a temporary patch on a growing problem, increasing the pressure on the front office to make a significant move before the trade deadline.
Help could be on the way from within, though patience is required. RHP Luis Gil is getting closer to a return, making his third rehab start and throwing 67 pitches for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Manager Aaron Boone suggested he might need one more outing before activation. Down on the farm, No. 2 prospect Carlos Lagrange continues to impress, fanning six over five innings of one-run ball for Double-A Somerset. On the long-term front, pitcher Clarke Schmidt confirmed his Tommy John surgery was a success, and while he's out until 2026, it's good news for the organization's future pitching depth.
It was a frustrating Friday night in the Bronx, a classic case of one step forward, two steps back. While Judge's historic season is a nightly spectacle, this loss was a stark reminder that one man can't do it all. The Yankees will look to bounce back tomorrow and even the series against a tough Phillies team. All eyes, however, will be on the front office as the bullpen's performance screams for reinforcements before the trade deadline.
