The New York Yankees continued their blazing start to the 2025 season on Friday evening, outslugging the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-4 to move to 5–2. The win wasn’t just another tally in the standings—it was a historic night for their Captain. In his 1,000th career game, Aaron Judge added yet another milestone to his growing Hall of Fame résumé.
Judge Continues Historic Streak
Aaron Judge stayed quiet at the plate for most of the night—but in the top of the seventh, he delivered a thunderous reminder of his greatness. The Captain launched a two-run home run to right-center, marking his 321st career blast in what was his 1,000th career game.
The number carries iconic weight. It took Babe Ruth exactly 1,000 games as a Yankee to reach that feat—and now, Judge has matched that milestone with a home run total worthy of the Bronx’s biggest legends.
But this isn’t just nostalgia. Judge’s 321 home runs are 42 more than any other player in MLB history through their first 1,000 games. Per MLB’s Sarah Langs, even stretching the timeline to 1,100 games, Judge remains unmatched—18 more home runs than anyone else in that span.
He’s off to a blistering start in 2025, too. Friday’s blast pushed his RBI total to 17 through seven games, the most in a player’s first seven games of a season since RBIs became official in 1920.
With Judge’s sixth home run of the year, the Yankees reached 23 home runs on the season—the most by any team through their first seven games in MLB history by three. The lineup continues to produce from top to bottom, showing depth and firepower few teams can match.
7 Games. 6 Homers. @TheJudge44 👨⚖️ pic.twitter.com/q84kYJ99CE
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 4, 2025
Bottom of the Lineup Shines
While Aaron Judge provided a clutch home run, it was the bottom half of the Yankees’ lineup that really stepped up. The bottom four hitters combined for a massive 7 RBI’s and provided the offensive spark that kept the Yankees ahead.
Anthony Volpe continued to show his development, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. The young shortstop’s consistency at the plate was on full display as he contributed to the offensive depth the Yankees have been riding this season.
Jasson Dominguez, who has quickly become a fan favorite, delivered yet again, going 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs. His clutch hitting added another layer of excitement to the game, proving that his talent is real and ready to contribute at the big-league level.
But perhaps the biggest surprise of the night came from Oswaldo Cabrera, who finished 3-for-4 with an impressive 4 RBI’s. His performance was a key factor in the Yankees’ offensive outburst, as he helped drive in nearly half of the team’s runs.
Oswaldo Cabrera reacts to four-RBI game vs. Pirates
With contributions from Volpe, Dominguez, and Cabrera, the Yankees’ bottom half of the lineup showed just how dangerous this team can be from top to bottom. The depth and balance of the offense were on full display, making the Yankees’ offense even more of a nightmare for opposing pitchers.
Max Fried Steady in Second Start
Lefty Max Fried made his second start in pinstripes and gave the Yankees a solid outing. The former Braves ace allowed a few runs but kept the game under control, tossing 5 2/3 innings with six strikeouts. While not dominant, he showed poise and command, giving the Yankees exactly what they needed to stay ahead.
Final Line:
5.2 IP | 6 H | 1 ER | 1 BB | 6 K
Devin Williams Locks It Down
With the game still close in the ninth, the Yankees turned to their All-Star closer. Devin Williams, back from a short paternity leave, made his return felt—slamming the door shut to clinch the team’s first road win.
Box Score
Looking Ahead
On Saturday, Marcus Stroman will take the mound for the Yankees in Game 2, facing off against left-hander Bailey Falter. Then, on Sunday, the series wraps up with Will Warren projected to start for New York, squaring off against former Yankee Andrew Heaney, who will pitch for the Pirates.
