In a significant turning point for the New York Yankees, Marcus Stroman made a triumphant return to the starting rotation on Sunday, marking his first start since April 11. His stellar performance anchored a decisive 12-5 victory over the Athletics at Yankee Stadium, a much-needed win for a team navigating a challenging month. Stroman, a former Patchogue-Medford High School star, had been sidelined for 2½ months due to left knee inflammation, an injury that had lingered into early summer.

Stroman’s comeback was nothing short of impressive. He pitched five excellent innings, securing his first victory of the season. During his 74-pitch outing, he allowed just one run, a solo home run by Willie MacIver in the fifth inning, along with three hits and two walks, while striking out one batter. By the time he exited the game, the Yankees had already built a commanding 10-1 lead. Manager Aaron Boone lauded Stroman, describing his performance as "terrific" and praising his mound presence, unpredictability, and versatility. Boone emphasized the importance of the outing for both Stroman personally and for the team, highlighting his desire to contribute after a two-month absence.

Before his injury, Stroman had an untidy 0-1 record with an 11.57 ERA, failing to complete five innings in any of his first three starts. His return followed three rehab starts for Double-A Somerset, where his most recent outing saw him allow five runs and ten hits in 3 2/3 innings. Despite this, Stroman remained confident in his body’s readiness, stating that his goal was simply to pitch efficiently and go deep into the game without concern for his knee. He attributed his improved mechanics to the team’s coaches and trainers, viewing Sunday’s start as a crucial "building block to the next start." His resolve was evident even after taking a sharp comebacker off his right hamstring in the second inning, an incident he dismissed as temporary pain fueled by adrenaline.

The Yankees’ offense also roared to life, providing ample support for Stroman. Aaron Judge, who had been in a 10-for-55 (.182 avg) skid over his previous 15 games, broke out with a pair of home runs—his 29th and 30th of the season—and drove in four runs. His blasts included a 402-foot shot in the fourth inning and a 426-foot bomb in the seventh, putting the Yankees up 12-5. Boone expressed no concern about Judge’s earlier slump, reinforcing his confidence in the slugger.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. continued his strong performance in June, showcasing why he hasn't been part of the team's "middling" struggles. Since returning from an oblique strain on June 3, Chisholm Jr. entered the series finale slashing .309/.367/.543 in his last 22 games, with five homers and 14 RBIs. Against former Yankees right-hander Luis Severino, Chisholm Jr. hit a 362-foot homer in the second inning to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead, followed by a three-run triple in the third, later scoring on a wild pitch to make it 5-0.

Cody Bellinger also contributed significantly to the offensive explosion with three hits, including a 378-foot three-run homer in the fifth, which extended the Yankees’ lead to 10-1. Overall, the lineup, which had been criticized for its performance in June, generated nine hits and pushed across a dozen runs. Despite a recent rough patch for the team, the victory moved the Yankees to 48-35, remaining 13 games over .500 and at the top of their division. Chisholm Jr. emphasized the team’s confidence, noting that they are still leading the division even when "not playing our best."

For the Athletics, former Yankees pitcher Luis Severino had a difficult outing in his return to Yankee Stadium, allowing seven runs (six earned) and five hits in 3 2/3 innings, along with three walks and two hit batters. After Stroman’s departure, the Yankees’ bullpen, including JT Brubaker, Jonathan Loaisiga, Tim Hill, Ian Hamilton, and Luke Weaver, combined to close out the game, with Loaisiga escaping a bases-loaded jam and the latter three pitchers tossing scoreless innings.

Other notable moments from the game included Ben Rice making his third start at catcher, a position he handled well despite short notice, and Anthony Volpe’s ejection in the eighth inning after an argument with first-base umpire Chad Fairchild over a check swing. Stroman’s successful return adds crucial depth to the Yankees’ starting rotation, which boasts a major-league-best 2.96 ERA over the past 60 games. As he enters the final year of his contract, Stroman’s ability to build on this performance will be key for both his future and the Yankees’ aspirations.