Yankees ride one key inning to defeat Phillies and avoid a sweep at the Stadium

NEW YORK – Here it was, officially Day One of the Yankees’ Aaron Judge-less period, trying to prevent being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Judge was officially placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday's afternoon game at Yankee Stadium.

Riding a four-run second inning against Phils’ starter Zack Wheeler, the Yankees held on for a 4-3 victory, getting 11 outs from their beleaguered bullpen.

After veteran lefty Carlos Rodon exited with a one-run lead in the sixth, the foursome of Jonathan Loaisiga, Luke Weaver, Tim (every day) Hill and Devin Williams sewed up the win.

And that broke a three-game Yankee losing streak, with the Tampa Bay Rays set to arrive in the Bronx for a four-game set that will conclude with Thursday’s MLB trade deadline.

The new Yankee third baseman, Ryan McMahon, delivered a two-run double in the fourth, making Wheeler pay for plunking two batters before him, while Austin Wells (sac fly) and Trent Grisham (RBI single) increased the Yanks’ lead to 4-2.

Not at his best, Rodon yielded three solo home runs – two by Otto Kemp – but registered eight strikeouts and handed a lead to a bullpen that badly needs a boost by Thursday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline.

Meanwhile, the Yankees still hope to get Judge (right flexor strain) back in their lineup, first as a DH, when he's eligible to return off the 10-day IL, retroactive to Saturday.

Amed Rosario's role with the Yankees

The versatile, newly acquired Amed Rosario was due to arrive at Yankee Stadium in time for Sunday’s game, delayed a half-hour at the start due to rain.

Rosario, 29, might wind up in a third base platoon with lefty-hitting McMahon, whom the Yanks received in a trade Friday for two minor league pitchers.

“Yeah, we’ll see. Could definitely see him playing against some lefties,’’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the righty-hitting Rosario, batting .299 with an .816 OPS versus lefty pitching this year (93 plate appearances).

In Boone’s view, Rosario is mainly an option at third base, second base and occasionally the corner outfield spots.

As far as being an occasional choice at shortstop, that doesn’t seem to be in the cards – unless the Yanks are pressed into a needful situation.

“He hasn’t been there for a while,’’ Boone said of 15 appearances at shortstop since 2024, with only one game at the position this season.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees defeat Phillies, avoid sweep at Yankee Stadium