Aaron Judge's tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning ended a 10-game drought, helping the New York Yankees secure a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals and complete a three-game sweep. Cody Bellinger's diving catch in the ninth preserved Fernando Cruz's first career save, sealing the win for the Yankees.
Judge's homer, his first since April 4, contributed to his three-hit performance and boosted his batting average to a major league-best .409. Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt showcased a strong return from rotator cuff tendinitis, pitching 5 2/3 innings of three-run ball in his season debut. Anthony Volpe and Bellinger also made key offensive contributions for the Yankees.
The Royals' Kris Bubic allowed three runs over 5 1/3 innings, while the Yankees' Mark Leiter Jr. and Fernando Cruz combined for a solid bullpen effort. The victory sets the stage for upcoming matchups, with the Royals facing the Tigers and the Yankees taking on the Rays in their next respective series.