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Aaron Judge knocked it out in the ninth as the Yankees topped the Rangers in Texas. His 12th home run of the season proved to be the difference in a thrilling 3-2 victory that kept New York’s hot streak alive.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Final Score: Yankees 3, Rangers 2 on April 28, 2026 at Globe Life Field
- Judge’s Record: Tied league-leading 12 home runs, homering in 3 straight games
- Schlittler Performance: Eight strikeouts over six scoreless innings with a 1.51 ERA
- Yankees Momentum: Won tenth time in last eleven games, securing series victory in Texas
Judge Carries Yankees with Explosive Power Display
Aaron Judge delivered when it mattered most. His ninth-inning solo homer off reliever C. Winn provided the go-ahead run that held up as the final margin of victory. The Yankees captain singled in the first inning, scoring from first on Cody Bellinger’s double, then added the dagger with his 12th blast of the season.
Judge’s three-game homer streak marks his first such streak since June 8-11, 2025, putting him on an historic pace through late April. The right fielder is tied with Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox for the major league lead in homers. His .262 average with 20 RBIs across 130 plate appearances shows balanced dominance at the top of the lineup.
Yankees beat Rangers 3-2 in Arlington, Judge homers for league-leading 12th
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Schlittler Dominates in Pitching Duel Against deGrom
Cam Schlittler outdueled Texas ace Jacob deGrom in a masterclass of efficiency. The Yankees right-hander struck out eight batters over six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and one walk. His performance lowered his season ERA to an impressive 1.51, best among Yankees starters.
Schlittler, 25, has now allowed one or fewer earned runs in five of his seven starts this season. He has compiled 49 strikeouts against just five walks, showcasing elite command. Four of his first seven outs came via strikeouts, while the other three resulted from outstanding defensive plays behind him.
Defensive Spectacle Highlights Tight Contest
| Key Player | Contribution |
| Cody Bellinger (DH) | First-inning RBI double, drove in Judge to open scoring |
| Austin Wells (C) | Solo home run in seventh inning, 2-for-3 at plate |
| Fernando Cruz (RP) | Brilliant eighth-inning relief, diving stop on sacrifice bunt |
| David Bednar (CL) | Ninth-save despite two runs allowed, game-ending double play |
Fernando Cruz made a championship-caliber play in the eighth inning. With runners on and nobody out, he made a sliding stop on Joc Pederson’s sacrifice bunt attempt, then threw from his back to third to get Josh Jung. He followed with seven consecutive strikes, fanning Jake Burger and Ezequiel Duran to end the inning with runners stranded.
David Bednar closed out the win for his ninth save. Though he allowed a run-scoring triple to Danny Jansen and an RBI single to Jung after an error, he got Cory Seager to ground into a game-ending double play, preserving the one-run victory.
Wells Provides Power Boost in Seventh Inning
Austin Wells delivered critical insurance with his solo home run in the seventh inning off reliever Jalen Beeks. The Yankees catcher went 2-for-3 on the night, adding depth to New York’s offensive attack. Wells’ blast made it 2-1 Yankees, which proved essential given the tight final score.
Wells continues his strong season behind the plate and at the plate. His ability to deliver clutch power kept the Yankees ahead through the middle innings, complementing the team’s defensive excellence and starting pitching dominance.
What Does This Victory Mean for the Yankees’ Season?
The Yankees are now 20-10 on the season, sitting atop the AL East with a .667 winning percentage. This victory marked their tenth win in their last eleven games, extending a remarkable run that includes series wins in both Houston and Arlington. The team secured back-to-back victories against the Rangers after winning two of three in Houston.
With momentum firmly on their side as they head toward May, the Yankees are positioning themselves as legitimate contenders. Judge’s league-leading power numbers, Schlittler’s emergence as an elite young starter, and the team’s defensive prowess create a formidable combination. Next up is Elmer Rodriguez’s major league debut on Wednesday against Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi, offering a chance to complete an impressive 8-1 trip through Texas.
“Cam Schlittler struck out eight over six scoreless innings in a duel with Texas ace Jacob deGrom, Aaron Judge homered in his third consecutive game and the New York Yankees held on for a 3-2 win over the Rangers on Tuesday night.”
— Associated Press, April 28, 2026
Sources
- ESPN – Complete game recap and box score from April 28, 2026 at Globe Life Field
- CBS Sports – Austin Wells home run analysis and performance summary from Tuesday’s game
- MLB.com – Official statistics, highlights, and play-by-play from the Yankees-Rangers matchup
