Aaron Judge made his long-awaited return from injury on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, as the New York Yankees beat the Colorado Rockies 5-3, while in another game, the Houston Astros edged the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 in the opener of a crucial series.
Rockies vs Yankees: Judge’s Return
Final score: New York Yankees 5, Colorado Rockies 3
Aaron Judge returned to the Yankees lineup for the first time since May 31 after missing 84 games with a fractured right rib, batting third and playing right field for six innings. Judge went hitless in three at-bats and struck out twice, but the Yankees still secured a quality win behind starter Cam Schlittler, who pitched seven strong innings, striking out 10 while walking none.
Ryan McMahon lined a tiebreaking double in the fifth inning against his former team, Colorado, to put the Yankees ahead. Luis Garcia Jr. had earlier driven in a run in the first inning after a Rockies fielding error. Heliot Ramos, who replaced Judge in right field after the sixth inning, hit a three-run homer in the eighth to extend the lead, which proved crucial after Colorado’s Hunter Goodman hit his 37th home run of the season in the ninth. David Bednar closed out the game for his 32nd save. The win moved the Yankees to 82-62 on the season, their 14th victory in 21 games.
Astros vs Phillies
Final score: Houston Astros 6, Philadelphia Phillies 5
The Astros (73-71) opened a crucial three-game series against the Phillies (81-63) at Citizens Bank Park with a narrow win, in a game that carried playoff-race weight given Houston’s tight lead in the AL West and Philadelphia’s push in the NL East standings.
Why Are These Games Trending?
These games are trending primarily because of Aaron Judge’s return from a significant injury layoff, a storyline closely followed by baseball fans as the regular season heads into its final stretch, combined with playoff-race stakes in both matchups.
Key Details
- Yankees record after win: 82-62
- Rockies record after loss: 55-89
- Judge’s injury: Fractured right rib, missed 84 games since May 31
- Yankees winning pitcher: Cam Schlittler (7 IP, 10 K, 0 BB)
- Astros vs Phillies: Houston won 6-5, first game of a three-game series with AL West and NL East playoff implications
What’s Next?
The Yankees and Rockies continue their series, with the Yankees expected to ease Judge back into full-time duty gradually as the regular season winds down. The Astros and Phillies continue their three-game series, with both teams jockeying for position in their respective divisions.
FAQs
Q: Did Aaron Judge play today?
Yes, Judge returned to the Yankees lineup on September 8, 2026, for the first time since May 31, after recovering from a fractured right rib.
Q: What was the final score of Rockies vs Yankees?
The Yankees won 5-3.
Q: Who won Astros vs Phillies?
The Houston Astros won 6-5.
Q: How did Aaron Judge perform in his return?
He went hitless in three at-bats with two strikeouts but played six innings in right field before being replaced by Heliot Ramos.
Q: Who hit a home run for the Yankees in the win?
Heliot Ramos hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning after replacing Judge.
Also read: The Phillies are chasing a wild card and face the Mets this weekend. Follow our Mets baseball guide for the full schedule and standings.
