Marcus Stroman shines in his return and Aaron Judge homers as the Yankees beat the A's 3-2 on June 29, 2025. Get the full recap of the series-clinching win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of welcome returns and timely power at Yankee Stadium. Marcus Stroman looked sharp in his first start back from the injured list, and Aaron Judge provided the thunder with his 29th home run of the season, as the Yankees held off the Oakland Athletics for a crucial 3-2 win on Sunday afternoon.
Aaron Judge connected for his 29th home run of the season, a solo shot in the third inning that gave the Yankees an early spark.
All eyes were on Marcus Stroman as he took the mound for the first time since battling left knee inflammation, and he didn't disappoint. After a few rehab starts in the minors, Stroman delivered a gritty performance, going 5 innings while allowing just two runs on five hits. He struck out six and looked confident, giving the Yankees a much-needed boost to a rotation that has been tested by injuries. His return provides critical stability as the team heads into the heart of the summer.
While the offense wasn't exactly firing on all cylinders, it delivered when it mattered most. Aaron Judge got the party started with a solo blast in the third inning, his 29th of the year. The decisive blow came in the fifth when Cody Bellinger laced a two-run single to give the Yankees the lead for good. It was a day of clutch hitting and stellar defense, highlighted by a slick double play turned by Anthony Volpe in the seventh that snuffed out an A's rally. Devin Williams slammed the door in the ninth for his 18th save, capping off a true team victory.
With the win, the Yankees improve to 48-34 on the season and, more importantly, maintain their hold on first place in the competitive AL East. It's their second straight victory, moving them to 6-4 in their last 10 games as they appear to be shaking off a recent offensive slump. The good news kept coming as catcher J.C. Escarra also rejoined the team after paternity leave, providing valuable depth behind the plate for the remainder of the homestand.
This was the kind of tough, grinding win that defines a first-place team. With Stroman back in the fold and the bats providing timely hits, the Yankees look poised to build on this momentum. They've secured the series against Oakland and will look to carry that success forward as they continue their push toward the All-Star break, solidifying their status as a top contender in the American League.
