Yankees’ Struggle Highlights Need for Judge
For the first time since his return, Gerrit Cole showed a more human side. After coming back from Tommy John surgery, he allowed one run, amidst four total runs, and found himself on the receiving end of a home run.
Without Aaron Judge in the lineup, it wasn’t enough for the Yankees against the Guardians.
On Wednesday, they fell to Cleveland 5-4, marking their second consecutive loss, with Judge out awaiting a final diagnosis for a bone bruise near his right ribs, which is affecting his swing.
Cole had initially been impressive, setting a 2026 record with 12 ¹/₃ shutout innings. However, he conceded four runs over 5 ¹/₃ innings, with three homers doing most of the damage. Although he displayed flashes of his pre-surgery form, there were concerns, especially given the team’s struggles without their star player. The offense managed only five hits, including two solo homers, which was hardly sufficient.
As the game progressed, things looked shaky for the Yankees. They had a chance in the ninth, down by two, but were unable to capitalize. Paul Goldschmidt doubled in the first, and Cody Bellinger scored on a deep sacrifice fly, but the momentum fizzled when Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jose Caballero were both struck out.
Cole breezed through the first inning with only eight pitches, but then Kyle Manzard led off the second with a homer, putting the Guardians ahead 1-0. A couple of innings later, Rhys Hoskins homered and Chisholm evened things up with a solo shot. By the fifth inning, the Guardians had hit another homer off Jose Ramirez.
Despite these hits, Cole gave the Yankees a reasonable chance at victory. He didn’t match his previous 10-strikeout game, but he remained fairly effective overall.
However, the lack of offensive support made each run felt like a heavy burden. Preparing for the final assessment of Judge, the Yankees faced a stark reality check about their reliance on him.
Chisholm’s home run was encouraging, especially considering his struggle during this contract year. Meanwhile, Caballero, stepping in for Judge again, contributed with a solo homer and a single, seeking to maintain his place on the roster. Yet, apart from Ben Rice, who scratched out an extra-base hit, the batting seemed largely uninspired.
They showcased some solid swings against off-speed pitches, but a series of ground balls and flyouts dampened their threat, even against Cleveland’s bullpen.
The Guardians tacked on another run in the eighth due to Tim Hill’s ongoing struggles, which have seen him yield 10 runs over his last 4 ⅓ innings—definitely raising concerns.
When the Yankees aimed for a late-game comeback in the eighth, Volpe, Trent Grisham, and Rice all popped up against Hunter Gaddis, outlining just how much the team misses Judge and the difficulties they face in his absence.
