Yankees defeat Royals 10-2 on June 11, 2025, as Aaron Judge's massive 469-ft homer off Kris Bubic set the tone for a lopsided New York victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It only took one swing to feel the air go out of Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday night. In the very first inning, Yankees titan Aaron Judge launched a baseball into orbit, a colossal 469-foot blast that set a somber tone for what would become a lopsided 10-2 defeat for the Kansas City Royals. It was a tough pill to swallow as New York's offense simply overpowered the home team from start to finish.
469 feet. The third-longest home run in MLB this season, and it came off a Royals pitcher in the first inning.
The game felt like it was over before it truly began. Aaron Judge's two-run homer in the first inning wasn't just long; it was a statement. But the pain didn't stop there. Yankees catcher Austin Wells turned into a one-man wrecking crew, driving in five runs, punctuated by a three-run homer of his own in the fourth. The Yankees' lineup was relentless, tacking on runs against the bullpen in the later innings and never giving Kansas City a chance to breathe.
Entering the night with a sparkling 1.43 ERA, Kris Bubic was one of the brightest stories of the season. Unfortunately, the potent Yankees lineup proved to be his kryptonite. The lefty was tagged for multiple runs early, including the homers to Judge and Wells, and couldn't find his rhythm. The loss drops his record to 5-3 and serves as a stark reminder that even the best arms can have a rough night against an elite offense. It's a bump in the road for Bubic, who will look to reset and get back to his dominant form in his next start.
In a game with few offensive bright spots, Jonathan India provided a small spark. His solo home run in the eighth inning was one of only two runs the Royals could muster. India has been a steady presence at the top of the lineup, and his continued production is a positive takeaway. While his homer didn't change the outcome, it's encouraging to see him stay hot even when the rest of the bats are cold.
When the present is painful, it sometimes helps to look to the future. While the big-league club struggled, the strength of the Royals' farm system remains a point of pride. The organization is particularly loaded at the catcher position, with top prospects like Blake Mitchell, Carter Jensen, and Ramon Ramirez developing in the minors. This depth is a massive asset, providing long-term security behind the plate and valuable chips for potential future trades. It's a reminder that even after a tough loss, the foundation for sustained success is still being built.
It was a night to forget at The K, a humbling reminder of the firepower top-tier teams like the Yankees possess. At 34-33, the Royals are at a crossroads. They'll need to shake this one off quickly, find a way to generate more offense beyond a solo shot, and hope the pitching staff can bounce back. The series isn't over, and how they respond tomorrow will tell us a lot about the resilience of this 2025 squad.
