BRONX, NY — The Yankees opened the unofficial second half of the 2026 MLB regular season Friday night in the Bronx with a frustrating 2-1 loss against the defending and back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers.
In front of 46,450 fans on 161 Street and River Avenue, Yankee Stadium’s fifth sellout of the year, a guarantee for any Dodgers-Yankees matchup, the Yankees wasted another dominant performance from Gerrit Cole as Max Muncy’s seventh-inning two-run home run proved to be the difference.
Max Muncy proved to be the difference-maker Friday night in the Bronx as the Dodgers and Yankees opened up a three game weekend series – Image Credit: Al Pereira/Latino Sports
The Yankees entered the night looking to reset following the All-Star break while awaiting additional clarity on Aaron Judge’s recovery from a fractured right rib. The 34-year-old and three-time American League MVP said his latest imaging showed “some progress” and “some healing,” but Judge will require another round of testing before being cleared to resume baseball activities.
“We’ve got a big team of guys looking at this just so we can get the best answer and have the right plans,” he said.
Yankees captain Aaron Judge, out since May 31st due to a rib injury, has yet to be cleared to resume baseball activities – Image Credit: Al Pereira/Latino Sports
New York also provided encouraging updates on several injured players ahead of Friday’s loss, including Max Fried beginning a rehab assignment, Carlos Rodón throwing off a mound, Giancarlo Stanton resuming a running progression, and Clarke Schmidt preparing to face hitters in his Tommy John rehabilitation.
On the mound Friday, Cole looked every bit like the ace the Yankees expected after returning from Tommy John surgery as the 35-year-old right-hander retired 10 consecutive Dodgers hitters at one point and struck out eight over six innings.
Gerrit Cole’s pitching line Friday night vs. the Dodgers: 6 innings pitched, 4 hits (1 HR), 2 runs allowed, 1 walk, eight strikeouts – Image Credit: Al Pereira/Latino Sports
Repeatedly overpowering one of baseball’s deepest lineups, Cole’s only mistake came in the seventh by issuing a walk to Mookie Betts to lead off the inning. Manager Aaron Boone visited the mound but allowed Cole to remain in the game after the veteran lobbied for another batter.
Muncy, 35, known for his clutch hitting, was that hitter and immediately capitalized—launching a two-run homer into the second deck in right field to erase New York’s lead and give Los Angeles a 2-1 advantage that they never surrendered.
Following the game, Boone accepted responsibility for the decision, stating, “I was feeling the situation out. Obviously, in hindsight, I probably should grab him there. Pitched so well. I felt like he was competitive back in the Mookie at-bat. I felt like he had enough to get Max and jumps out in front of him. But then (Muncy) got a mistake.”
Cole (3-5, 3.93 ERA) continued an unfortunate trend since returning to the bump. The Yankees have now scored two runs or fewer in seven of his 10 starts this season, providing minimal offensive support during several strong outings.
“It’s nice to push the stamina to, get back out there and, for an extra hitter and just keep going for it,” he said after the loss. “Keep competing, so that’s great. Learning opportunity physically and obviously, hitting deeper into the second half, a good learning opportunity as well that it’s not over till it’s over.”
With LA’s win Friday night at Yankee Stadium, the Dodgers improved to a MLB best 62-36 while the Yankees dropped to 54-43 overall – Image Credit: Al Pereira/Latino Sports
The Yankees’ lone run came in the fourth inning when Jasson Domínguez doubled, advanced to third on an Andy Pages fielding error, and then scored on a passed ball by catcher Dalton Rushing.
Los Angeles’ right-handed starter Roki Sasaki (3-5, 4.98 ERA) delivered arguably his best performance of the season, allowing one unearned run over 5 2/3 innings while showcasing a fastball that reached 101.8-MPH and an effective splitter that kept New York’s lineup off balance.
Dodgers 24-year-old right-handed starter Roki Sasaki tossed 5.2 innings on Friday night vs. the Yankees and only allowed surrendered one run on five hits and one walk Image Credit: Al Pereira/Latino Sports
Before the 27th out was secured, the Yankees threatened late in the eighth inning. With All-Star Ben Rice hitting a double off the right center field wall, Trent Grisham was thrown out at home trying to score the tying run on an outstanding relay by LA’s defense.
New York stranded two runners in the inning before Tanner Scott closed out the ninth for his 14th save.
By closing the door on a Yankees comeback in the ninth inning Friday night, Tanner Scott secured his 14th save of the season – Image Credit: Al Pereira/Latino Sports
Although the Yankees (54-43) dropped their first game following the All-Star break, they remained 2.5 games behind in the AL East after the Rays lost both games of their doubleheader vs. the Red Sox.
However, Friday’s opener in the Bronx served as another reminder that while the Yankees’ pitching continues to keep them in games, timely offense remains the club’s biggest obstacle entering the second half of the season especially in this extended stretch without Judge.
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