💥 From 6–1 Disaster to Bronx Revival: Judge and Jazz Spark Yankees’ Game 3 Miracle

Down 2–0 in the series and facing elimination, the Yankees needed something special — and they got it. After falling into an early 6–1 hole, New York erased the deficit and pushed past Toronto 9–6 at Yankee Stadium to stay alive.

Turning Points & Heroics

Judge’s Moment

Aaron Judge delivered when it mattered. With the Yankees trailing 6–3 in the bottom of the 4th, Judge hammered a three-run homer off Louis Varland — the blast hit the left-field foul pole, tying the game at 6–6. Truly a signature postseason swing.

He finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs (including that bomb) and added a timely diving catch in right field, helping to suppress a potential Blue Jays rally.

In short: Judge didn’t just tie the game. He changed the tone, energized the crowd, and made the home-park feel like his own.

Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s Go-Ahead Blast

The next inning, Jazz Chisholm Jr. struck. He launched a solo homer off that same Varland to give New York the lead, 7–6. From there, the Yankees added more runs in the inning and rode momentum the rest of the way.

That back-to-back power display — Judge, then Jazz — was the heart of New York’s uprising.

The Blowup in Toronto’s Lead & Rodón’s Struggles

Toronto jumped out quickly. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tagged Rodón for a two-run shot in the first. By the third, Daulton Varsho, Ernie Clement, and Anthony Santander drove in runs to push the lead to 6–1.

Rodón couldn’t settle in. He was pulled after giving up six runs over 2 ⅓ innings.

From that point, the bullpen stifled the Jays. Fernando Cruz, Camilo Doval, Tim Hill, Devin Williams, and David Bednar combined to hold Toronto scoreless over the final 6 ⅔ innings. Bednar closed it in a five-out save.

What It Means & What the Yankees Must Do to Stay Alive

This game showed the resilience and firepower the Yankees need — but the work isn’t finished.

What This Game Gave Them

1. Momentum regainedEvery comeback demands belief. With Game 3 in the books, the Yankees no longer feel like they’re on the brink of extinction.

2. Proof that their bullpen can holdAfter Rodón’s short outing, the relievers stepped up in a big way. That’s essential for a series when starters will be taxed.

3. Judge earning his OctobersIf Game 1 was a reminder of his struggles (striking out with bases loaded), Game 3 was redemption. Big swings in big moments cement leadership.

4. Toronto’s depth is thinner than it lookedWith their starter faltering and the bullpen stretched, the Jays can’t hide forever. The Yankees have exposed cracks.

   
   

What the Yankees Need in Game 4 (and possibly Game 5)

• Start strong, get length — The starter must eat innings. A short outing forces overuse of the pen.

• Attack early, especially in Toronto’s bullpen — Make the Jays burn arms earlier than they’d like.

• Lean on Judge and Jazz — They’ve shown they can change the game. Give them opportunities to do it again.

• Keep pressure on base paths & defense — Close games are won by the small things: error-free defense, stolen bases, forcing mistakes.

• Smart bullpen sequencing — Monday’s arms are tomorrow’s arms; manage who gets thrown and when.

• Home crowd leverage — The Bronx can feel like a powerhouse in elimination games. Use it.