The New York Yankees secured a hard-fought 4–2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on July 20, 2025, fueled by a strong starting performance from Marcus Stroman and timely hitting led by Aaron Judge. This win not only boosted the Yankees’ playoff positioning but also showcased their resilience against a resilient Braves squad at Truist Park in Atlanta.
Marcus Stroman, making just his fourth start since returning from a knee injury, delivered a commanding outing that anchored the Yankees’ success. Over six innings, Stroman allowed just one run on five hits while striking out four without issuing a walk. His ability to locate pitches and mix his arsenal effectively kept the Braves’ powerful lineup off balance. After the game, Stroman reflected, “I focused on attacking the strike zone and staying aggressive early. Keeping them guessing with my pitch mix was key. It feels great to help the team win.”
The offensive highlight belonged to Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who hit a solo home run in the very first inning. This homer marked Judge’s 36th of the season, tying the Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez for sixth place on the franchise all-time home run list with 351. Judge’s early blast came off Braves starter Grant Holmes and ignited the Yankees’ offense. Beyond his homer, Judge was active on the bases, scoring twice and drawing a walk, finishing 1-for-4 at the plate.
Judge acknowledged the importance of setting the tone early: “Getting on the board first always helps, especially against a team like Atlanta. It’s a testament to the team’s focus we started strong and never let up.”
Supporting Judge’s effort was first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who went 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. Goldschmidt’s clutch single in the first inning scored Giancarlo Stanton, extending New York’s early lead. Stanton himself was productive, going 3-for-5 and crossing home plate once. Midway through the game, the Yankees tacked on a crucial run in the sixth inning after Jorbit Vivas was hit by a pitch and Goldschmidt scored on a subsequent play.
The Braves fought back with two runs, including a massive 442-foot home run by Matt Olson in the sixth inning, which was his 18th of the season. Ronald Acuña Jr. added a solo shot in the ninth, his 13th of the year, off Yankees closer Devin Williams, who recorded his 14th save even after giving up the late run.
Atlanta’s ace Grant Holmes was solid but ultimately outmatched, surrendering three runs on seven hits over six innings, falling to 4-9 on the year. The Braves threatened at times early, loading the bases in the third inning with two outs before a double play erased their rally. Manager Aaron Boone praised Stroman’s composure and the bullpen’s effort, stating, “Marcus gave us length and quality pitching, which set the tone. Our guys kept the pressure on and made the plays when it mattered.”
This victory helps the Yankees inch closer to the Toronto Blue Jays in the tightly contested American League East, narrowing the gap to just three games. New York heads into a pivotal three-game series in Toronto with momentum firmly on their side.
Looking ahead, Carlos Rodón will take the mound for the Yankees in the opener against Kevin Gausman and the Blue Jays on Monday, while the Braves prepare to face the Giants in their home series.
Overall, the Yankees’ 4-2 win showcased a balanced attack and top-tier pitching that will be critical as they chase a postseason berth. Marcus Stroman’s dominant return coupled with Aaron Judge’s historic power display underscored the team’s determination in this competitive stretch of the 2025 season
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