Yankees 2, Rays 0: Judge's Walk-Off Homer Ends Slump in Pitchers' Duel

The lead

May 24, 2026 - Bronx - The New York Yankees ended a three-game skid with a 2-0 walk-off win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium, as Ryan Weathers and Drew Rasmussen each worked seven scoreless innings before Aaron Judge ended an 11-game homerless drought with a two-run shot off Kevin Kelly in the ninth, per the Associated Press recap on CBS Sports.

It was Judge's fourth walk-off homer and eighth walk-off hit, ending New York's fastest game of the season after 2 hours, 12 minutes.

How the game turned

The Rays threatened in the eighth when Ryan Vilade singled with runners on first and second, but Cody Bellinger threw out Junior Caminero at third as Ryan McMahon applied the tag before Oliver Dunn crossed the plate—a defensive play that kept the scoreboard blank.

Kelly (3-2) walked Trent Grisham to open the ninth and Judge crushed a first-pitch sinker to the opposite field for his 17th homer and first since May 10, ending a 1-for-24 slide and a career-worst 11-game streak without an RBI.

Pitching and matchup notes

Weathers allowed four hits and three walks with four strikeouts over seven innings. Rasmussen gave up five hits and one walk while fanning six—a classic duel that left both pens one inning to navigate. Tim Hill (1-2) struck out Richie Palacios with two on in the ninth for the win.

Tampa Bay lost for just the fourth time in 17 games; its AL East lead was cut to 4½ games over New York, which improved to 5-15 in its last 20 but won for the first time in five tries against the Rays this year.

AthX Engine graded Weathers at 20 pitching FP and the Yankees at 7 team FP—proof that a 20 FP arm can carry a low team total in a shutout.

Bats that changed the board

Judge's opposite-field blast was one of only three major-league parks where the drive would have cleared the fence, per AP. Until that swing, Bellinger's assist was the game's defining moment.

AthX Engine fantasy angle

Weathers' 20 pitching FP on seven scoreless frames is the AthX Engine template for ace value in a 2-0 final—even when the team totals just 7 team FP and the offense waits until the ninth. Pitching FP and team FP diverge by design, separate from dynamic pricing.

What comes next

The Rays open at Baltimore with Shane McClanahan (5-2, 2.82 ERA) on Monday, per AP. New York heads to Kansas City with Will Warren (6-1, 3.61 ERA) opposing Michael Wacha (4-2, 2.70 ERA).

*Sources: MLB.com schedule, CBS Sports recap, AthX Engine scoring. Information only; not financial advice.*