New York Mets and Yankees’ Aaron Judge hits a single during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, May 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Judge Delivers Walk‑Off Blast To Even the Series
Aaron Judge ended a frustrating two‑week stretch without a home run by delivering the biggest swing of the Yankees’ season so far. His two‑run walk‑off shot in the 10th inning pushed New York past Tampa Bay and secured a split of the two‑game series at Yankee Stadium. Judge had gone 8 for 43 since his last homer on May 10, but his timing returned when the Yankees needed it most. His drive to right field cut through the wind and cleared the wall, giving New York a 2‑0 win and snapping a skid that had seen the club drop seven of its previous eleven games.
Rays Still Hold Firm Lead in the AL East
Despite the loss, Tampa Bay leaves New York with its division cushion intact. The Rays remain 4.5 games ahead in the AL East, continuing a strong May that has featured consistent pitching, timely defense, and contributions from across the lineup. Tampa Bay had chances late, including a key eighth‑inning rally that nearly broke the scoreless tie. Junior Caminero attempted to take third on a single to left, but Cody Bellinger’s one‑hop throw cut him down to end the inning and keep the game level.
Yankees Capitalize on Late Opportunity
Judge’s walk‑off came after he singled earlier in the game and showed signs of breaking out of his slump. New York starter Ryan Weathers praised Judge’s approach, noting that the slugger had been hitting balls hard despite limited results. The Yankees’ win narrows the gap slightly but does not change the broader picture: Tampa Bay continues to control the division, while New York looks to build momentum heading into a challenging stretch of the schedule.
Rays Look Ahead
Tampa Bay returns home with the series split and the division lead still secure. The Rays continue to rely on their depth, defense, and late‑inning execution as they push toward June with one of the best records in the American League.