Aaron Judge-less Yankees fall flat again in brutal loss to Phillies

With Aaron Judge headed to the injured list in another blow for the crashing Yankees, they didn’t do nearly enough to pick up their suddenly banged-up captain and offensive linchpin.

While Judge was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow, the Yankee bats mostly were throttled without him until a late Giancarlo Stanton homer in a 9-4 loss to the Phillies at the Stadium to fall to 3-5 since the All-Star break and 14-23 since June 13.

Imported third baseman Ryan McMahon went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts, a walk and a diving play at third base in his pinstriped debut after he was acquired Friday from the MLB-worst Rockies.

“They brought me in to play third base and to play baseball. That’s something I feel confident in,” McMahon said. “I think I’m more excited to just be a part of this lineup. From the other side, you look over at the Yankee lineup and it’s intimidating.”

Marcus Stroman and the Yankees took a lopsided loss to the Phillies on July 26, 2025.

The Bombers offense looks far less intimidating, of course, without Judge’s presence. Phillies lefty Ranger Suárez shut them down over 5 ²/₃ innings of one-run ball.

Yanks starter Marcus Stroman had pitched to a 3.00 ERA over his previous four outings, but he coughed up four runs over the first 3 ²/₃ innings, beginning with an RBI single by J.T. Realmuto in the first and a solo homer to right by Bryce Harper in the third for an early 2-0 hole.

Ryan McMahon reacts after he strikes out swinging during the fourth inning on Saturday.

Stroman then lost the strike zone and walked four batters in the fourth, including one to No. 9 hitter Johan Rojas with the bases loaded to force in a run. Trea Turner made it 4-0 on an infield out, and Stroman was pulled for righty Yerry De Los Santos before he could complete the frame.

“I just gotta throw more strikes, too many walks overall,” Stroman said. “That’s it.”

McMahon, who led the National League with 127 strikeouts before the trade, came up with two runners on in the bottom half. He was whiffed by Suárez for a second straight at-bat to start his Yankee career, but Jasson Domínguez got them on the board with an RBI single to center.

Allan Winans of the New York Yankees reacts after giving up a home run during the seventh inning.Robert Sabo for NY Post

Edmundo Sosa of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Max Kepler of the Philadelphia Phillies after they both score on Sosa’s home run during the seventh inning.

Turner drove in another run for the Phils with a double to right against De Los Santos in the sixth.

The Phillies tacked on four more runs against Allan Winans one inning later for a 9-1 game, including a two-run blast by Edmundo Sosa for a rough loss, especially with Judge sidelined.

“For sure, we go where Cap goes,” Stroman said. “I think everyone was praying it would not be something more serious. Hopefully, he can rest up and is able to get back out there soon.”