Marcus Stroman made a successful return to the New York Yankees’ starting rotation by allowing just one run and three hits in five innings, contributing to a convincing 12-5 victory over the Athletics. Stroman faced 74 pitches, including 42 strikes, and managed to walk two batters. The only run he conceded was a home run by Willie MacIver during the fifth inning, following a lengthy 10-pitch duel.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Stroman’s performance, noting, “I thought he was terrific,” acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding his return after knee issues. Boone highlighted Stroman’s effective pitch usage, his ability to dominate both sides of the plate, and his unpredictability with various pitches.
This outing marked Stroman’s first start since April 11 due to left knee inflammation, which had caused him to struggle in earlier appearances with an 11.57 ERA. Following a setback during a practice session, his rehab efforts led to mixed results, but the strong performance against the Athletics should have alleviated concerns about his return.
Stroman received ample run support from his teammates, who capitalized on Athletics starter Luis Severino. Notable contributions came from Jazz Chisholm Jr., who hit a second-inning home run and a two-run triple, and Aaron Judge, who added a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Cody Bellinger also hit a three-run shot, solidifying a commanding 10-1 lead at the conclusion of Stroman’s outing.
Although the Athletics scored two runs against reliever JT Brubaker in the sixth inning, the Yankees’ vast lead proved insurmountable. Bellinger finished the game with three hits and three RBIs, while Chisholm had two hits and drove in four runs. Judge’s eighth-inning homer marked his 30th of the season, positioning him just two behind MLB leader Cal Raleigh as the All-Star break draws near.
With this victory, the Yankees improved to 48-35, maintaining their first place in the AL East and extending their lead to 1.5 games over the Tampa Bay Rays, who lost to the Baltimore Orioles.
This game underscores the potential of the Yankees as they head toward the All-Star break, bolstered by Stroman’s effective performance and strong offensive showings.