Aaron Judge Sets First-Inning Home Run Record as Yankees Defeat Orioles 6-1 to Stay Atop AL East – September 27, 2025

Saturday, September 27th, 2025

Yankees Power Past Orioles 6-1 to Hold AL East Lead Ahead of Season Finale

The New York Yankees delivered a dominant performance against the Baltimore Orioles, securing a 6-1 victory at Yankee Stadium. Early home runs from Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Ryan McMahon set the tone, allowing the Yankees to maintain at least a share of the AL East lead going into the final day of the regular season.

Dominant Pitching and Early Offense Lead the Way

New York improved its record to 93-68 with the win, having now claimed seven straight victories and ten of their last eleven games. The team is guaranteed at least a wild card spot in the playoffs. Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler had a career outing, striking out nine batters across seven scoreless innings and allowing only two hits. Schlittler now boasts a 2.96 ERA across 14 starts this season.

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge got things started with his major league record 20th first-inning home run of the season, marking his 53rd overall this year. Judge’s blast also helped the Yankees set a franchise milestone with their 49th first-inning homer, surpassing the previous record held by the 2023 Atlanta Braves.

In the second inning, Giancarlo Stanton and Ryan McMahon both went deep, giving New York a quick 3-0 lead. Stanton’s home run was his 453rd career long ball, moving him past Carl Yastrzemski for 40th on the all-time list. When Judge and Stanton homer in the same game, the Yankees are now 52-7.

Orioles Struggle on the Mound

Baltimore starter Tomoyuki Sugano, who signed a $13 million one-year contract before the season, allowed all three early home runs. The 35-year-old right-hander finishes his season with a 10-10 record and a 4.64 ERA across 30 starts, along with 33 homers allowed—trailing only Jake Irvin and Zack Littell, who each entered Saturday with 36.

Key Injuries and Ejections

Jazz Chisholm Jr. was forced to leave the game after being hit on the left arm by a 96.8 mph pitch from Grant Wolfram in the fifth inning. X-rays were negative, but Chisholm is scheduled for a CT scan to rule out any serious injury. Meanwhile, Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected for the seventh time this season, the most among all big league managers.

Key Moment

Aaron Judge’s first-inning home run was his 51st against the Orioles in just 119 games, continuing his dominance over Baltimore pitching.

Key Stat

New York improved its record to 26-25 against AL East opponents with this win.

Up Next

The Yankees will send right-hander Luis Gil (4-1, 3.29 ERA) to the mound for the regular-season finale, while the Orioles counter with Kyle Bradish (1-1, 2.25 ERA).

In summary

The New York Yankees outpowered the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 thanks to early homers from Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Ryan McMahon. Rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler set a career high in strikeouts, while the Yankees kept pace at the top of the AL East. Historic home runs, a key injury update for Jazz Chisholm Jr., and the continued dominance of New York’s offense highlight this critical late-season matchup. The season finale promises even more drama as the Yankees push for the division crown.

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