Yankees’ new third baseman Ryan McMahon dazzles at plate and in field in badly needed win over Phillies

The Yankees still have to address their biggest need — pitching — in the coming days ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.

But in the meantime, the first player they acquired to fill another big hole is paying immediate dividends.

Ryan McMahon delivered a strong game on both sides of the ball, with his two-run double keying a rally in addition to playing terrific defense at third base, with the Yankees needing all of it to squeak by the Phillies 4-3 on Sunday afternoon in The Bronx.

“Honestly, just excited to do something to help the team,” McMahon said after going 2-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch, run and two RBIs. “Wins are important right now, so that’s the end goal. Happy to be doing some solid stuff out there and ready for the next one.”

The Yankees (57-48) made things hard on themselves by having to beat Zack Wheeler to avoid the sweep, but they were able to get to the Phillies ace with a four-run second inning before holding on late as the beleaguered bullpen had a spotless day for a change.

Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon hits a two-run double in the second inning against the Phillies on July 27, 2025.

After Carlos Rodón lasted 5 ¹/₃ innings and left with a 4-3 lead, the Yankees got two outs from the struggling Jonathan Loáisiga, three from Luke Weaver and three from Tim Hill (against the top of the order) before Devin Williams shut the door on the Phillies (60-45) in the ninth.

“That’s what you want it to look like right there,” manager Aaron Boone said.

Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon celebrates after hitting a two-run double in the second inning against the Phillies on July 27, 2025.

With the win, the Yankees pulled back within 5 ¹/₂ games of the Blue Jays in the AL East.

McMahon, acquired from the Rockies on Friday after third base had been a Yankees black hole for most of the season, has made a quick impact with his new club. It takes time for any midseason addition to fully adjust to a new team, and that will be an ongoing process for the 30-year-old who is living out of a suitcase in a hotel.

But there is something comforting about making immediate contributions, so McMahon’s play through two games has helped him feel a little more settled in the whirlwind of it all.

Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon fields a groundout by the Phillies’ Trea Turner in the fifth inning on July 27, 2025.

“It definitely helps, right? First impressions are usually pretty big,” he said. “I want these guys to know that I’m going to try to do everything I can to help them win games.”

Known most for his defense, McMahon flashed the leather a few times Sunday, most notably in the fifth inning with Rodón in a jam. The Phillies had runners on first and second with one out when Trea Turner hit a ball to McMahon’s left. He made a sliding stop on the play, spun and fired to first to nail the speedster for the second out.

The play proved critical as Rodón got the next batter, Kyle Schwarber, to fly out to Cody Bellinger at the right field wall to strand both runners in the one-run game.

“[McMahon] has already been tremendous,” Rodón said. “I think it settles him in. Especially when you show up wearing the pinstripes, it takes time to adjust. But it’s good to see he’s having some success and he can build on that.”

Yankees starter Carlos Rodon pitches against the Phillies on July 27, 2025.

Rodón gave up three solo homers on the day, the first two in the second inning, when he fell behind 2-0. But the Yankees were quick to answer in the bottom of the inning. Giancarlo Stanton led off with a bullet single before Wheeler hit Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jasson Domínguez to load the bases.

McMahon came up next and grounded a two-run double down the right field line to tie the game, and it’s possible it could have been a three-run hit if Domínguez had not for some reason stopped at second before running to third.

But Austin Wells scored him anyways with his ninth sacrifice fly of the year — tied for the most in MLB — before Trent Grisham drove in McMahon with a single that made it 4-2.

“As much of a whirlwind as it is getting traded at the deadline and uprooting [your life], at least on the surface [McMahon] looks settled and comfortable,” Boone said. “There’s an ease with which he plays the position. And I think he’s got some real offensive upside that hopefully continues to lengthen our lineup.”