The New York Yankees entered Sunday with a three-game deficit in the AL East behind the Toronto Blue Jays, and with a win would trim the gap to two games with enough time remaining to catch Toronto.
A win for Toronto, however, would extend the Jays’ lead to four games, making it extremely difficult for New York to chase them down atop the division. Sunday also marked the final head-to-head regular-season matchup between the division rivals heading into October.
Toronto sent Max Scherzer to the mound on extended rest — after he previously dealt with back soreness — in an attempt to help the Blue Jays take the series. But he faced a tall task going against New York’s ace, Max Fried.
Max Scherzer’s Costly Mistake
The Yankees got off to a hot start in the first inning, with Ben Rice following up an Aaron Judge walk and Cody Bellinger single with a three-run home run — a massive swing on their way to a crucial 4-3 victory.
However, cameras caught an alternate angle of Judge waving his arms at second base, appearing to signal to Rice at home plate that a changeup was coming.
Max Scherzer was tipping his changeup. It led to an amazing AB from Ben Rice.
A 3-run HR gives the Yankees a 3-0 lead pic.twitter.com/6j490ZronO
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) September 7, 2025
While using cameras to relay signs is illegal, what Judge did from second base is fully within the rules of the game. It falls solely on Scherzer for not doing a better job of concealing his grip on the mound.
This isn’t the first time the Yankees have used a runner on second base to steal signs.
Earlier this season, Jazz Chisholm Jr. was spotted signaling pitch locations to Anthony Volpe during a game against the Braves, which led to heated exchanges and accusations from Atlanta’s dugout. The Yankees also stole signs in a game against the Seattle Mariners earlier this season, leading to a walk-off win.
New York has taken full advantage of pitchers becoming relaxed on the mound, and the Yankees are doing what they can to gain an edge over their opponents.
