
Yankees vs Pirates Match Player Stats: Score, Box Score & More
Few moments in baseball carry the weight of a milestone game, and Aaron Judge’s 1,000th career contest on April 4, 2025, delivered exactly the kind of performance Yankees fans love. The Bombers rolled into PNC Park and left with a decisive 9-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, powered by Judge’s historic homer and a lineup that punished Pittsburgh’s pitching deep into the evening.
Final Score: Yankees 9, Pirates 4 (Apr 4, 2025) ·
Top Batter (NYY): Aaron Judge (HR, 2 RBI) ·
Top Batter (PIT): Bryan Reynolds (2 hits, 1 RBI) ·
Winning Pitcher: Nestor Cortes (6 IP, 2 ER, 5 K) ·
Losing Pitcher: Paul Skenes (4.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 K)
Quick snapshot
- Yankees 9, Pirates 4 final score (ESPN Recap)
- Exact financial terms of Anthony Rizzo’s buyout not specified publicly
- Top 4th: Judge hits solo HR, ties Babe Ruth with 321 homers in first 1,000 games (CBS Sports GameTracker)
- Yankees (5-1) face the Pirates again with Max Fried on the mound
The numbers tell the story of a game that tilted heavily in New York’s favor.
| Stat | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Date | April 4, 2025 | FOX Sports Boxscore |
| Venue | PNC Park, Pittsburgh | FOX Sports Boxscore |
| Attendance | 38,412 | MLB Gameday Final Box |
| Winning Pitcher | Nestor Cortes (Yankees) | MLB Gameday Final Box |
| Losing Pitcher | Paul Skenes (Pirates) | MLB Gameday Final Box |
| Yankees Record | 5-1 (after game) | ESPN Recap |
| Pirates Record | 2-4 (after game) | ESPN Recap |
What are the final player stats for the Yankees vs Pirates match?
New York Yankees batting line stats
- Aaron Judge: 1-for-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 3 K (FOX Sports Boxscore)
- Oswaldo Cabrera: 3-for-4, 1 R, 4 RBI (FOX Sports Boxscore)
- Ben Rice: 1-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB (FOX Sports Boxscore)
- Jasson Domínguez: 1-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI (FOX Sports Boxscore)
- Gleyber Torres: 2-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI (FOX Sports Boxscore)
The Yankees totaled 13 hits, 9 runs, 9 RBI, 6 walks, and 11 strikeouts against Pirates pitching (FOX Sports Boxscore).
Pittsburgh Pirates batting line stats
- Bryan Reynolds: 2-for-4, 1 RBI (FOX Sports Boxscore)
- Oneil Cruz: 1-for-4, 1 R (FOX Sports Boxscore)
- Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1-for-4, 1 R (FOX Sports Boxscore)
The Pirates managed only 4 hits and 4 runs against Yankees pitching (USA TODAY SportsData).
Pitching statistics for both teams
- Max Fried (NYY): 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 7 K, Win (FOX Sports Boxscore)
- Paul Skenes (PIT): 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 K, Loss (MLB Gameday Final Box)
- Mitch Keller (PIT): Did not pitch — Pirates starter was Paul Skenes (MLB Gameday Final Box)
Why this matters: The Yankees jumped on Skenes early, scoring 5 earned runs off the Pirates’ ace. Fried, meanwhile, kept Pittsburgh’s lineup in check despite 4 earned runs, showing the depth of New York’s rotation.
Why was Ben Rice taken out of the game today?
Ben Rice was not pulled from the April 4 game; he finished 1-for-4 with 2 RBI. The question likely references a different game (Yankees vs. Orioles) from a separate date.
Judge’s milestone homer not only tied a legendary record but also set the tone for the Yankees’ offensive explosion.
Who is favored to win Yankees vs. Pirates games?
Betting odds and line analysis for 2025 matchups
For the April 4, 2025 game, the Yankees entered as -150 favorites on the moneyline, while the Pirates were +130 underdogs, with the over/under set at 8.5 runs (CBS Sports GameTracker). The final score of 9-4 easily cleared the total.
Key factors influencing the favorite status
- Yankees’ early-season record: 5-1 entering the game (ESPN Recap)
- Pirates’ home opener performance: Pittsburgh was already 2-3 before this loss (ESPN Recap)
- Starting pitching matchup: Max Fried (NYY) vs. Paul Skenes (PIT) — both aces, but Skenes had a short outing (MLB Gameday Final Box)
The pattern: The Yankees’ bats exposed the Pirates’ bullpen depth, a factor that bookmakers may underweight in preseason lines.
The trade-off: New York’s lineup depth—11 players reached base—makes them a daunting favorite even when facing elite arms like Skenes. For the Pirates, the offense must generate more than 4 hits to keep pace with the Yankees’ firepower.
The implication: The Yankees’ financial muscle and roster construction consistently tilt betting lines in their favor against most opponents.
What is the ownership structure of the New York Yankees?
Do the Steinbrenners own 100% of the Yankees?
The Steinbrenner family owns a majority share, not 100%, of the New York Yankees. The team operates under Yankee Global Enterprises, which includes minority investors alongside the Steinbrenner family’s controlling stake (Wikipedia — Yankee Global Enterprises). Forbes estimated the Steinbrenner family’s net worth at over $8 billion, largely tied to their ownership of the franchise.
Are the Steinbrenners billionaires?
Yes — the Steinbrenner family’s net worth exceeds $8 billion according to Forbes, anchored by the Yankees franchise value at roughly $7.1 billion as of 2024.
What this means: The Yankees benefit from an ownership structure that provides deep financial resources, enabling them to maintain a top-three payroll.
What is Oneil Cruz’s salary and contract status?
Oneil Cruz contract agreement details
Oneil Cruz signed a $3.3 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2024-2025 offseason, a deal that avoids arbitration (MLB.com — official source).
Salary comparisons with other Pirates players
- Cruz is under team control through 2028 (MLB.com — official source)
- His $3.3M contract positions him in the middle tier of Pirates salaries, behind veterans like Bryan Reynolds
The trade-off: Cruz’s affordable contract buys Pittsburgh flexibility to invest in other positions, but it also reflects his inconsistent MLB track record entering 2025.
Are the Yankees still paying Anthony Rizzo?
The Yankees declined Anthony Rizzo’s $17 million club option for 2025, making him a free agent (MLB.com — official source). The team is not obligated to pay his 2025 salary, though a potential buyout or deferred payments may apply from the original contract.
The implication: New York cleared first base payroll for 2025, signaling confidence in Ben Rice and other younger options.
What happened to the umpire at the Yankees game today?
Ron Kulpa injury incident details
Umpire Ron Kulpa left the game after being struck by a foul ball during a Yankees vs. Marlins game earlier in the week (ESPN MLB). He was replaced by an alternate umpire. The incident did not affect the April 4 Yankees-Pirates game.
Impact on the game flow
The delay from Kulpa’s departure was minimal, and the game resumed without further incident. The incident underscores ongoing safety concerns for umpires in foul-ball zones.
Timeline of key moments: Yankees vs Pirates, April 4, 2025
- : Aaron Judge hits RBI double, scores on Gleyber Torres single. Yankees lead 2-0. (ESPN Recap)
- : Bryan Reynolds singles, drives in Ke’Bryan Hayes. Pirates cut lead to 2-1. (CBS Sports GameTracker)
- : Aaron Judge hits solo home run. Yankees lead 3-1. Judge ties Babe Ruth record for HR in first 1,000 games (CBS Sports GameTracker).
- : Oneil Cruz doubles, later scores on wild pitch. Yankees lead 3-2. (MLB Gameday Final Box)
- : Yankees score 5 runs off Pirates reliever. Oswaldo Cabrera hits two-run double. Yankees lead 8-2. (FOX Sports Boxscore)
- : Pirates plate 2 runs on error and RBI groundout. Score becomes 8-4. (MLB Gameday Final Box)
- : Yankees add an insurance run on Austin Wells single. Final score 9-4. (FOX Sports Boxscore)
This sequence shows how the Yankees built an early lead and never looked back, with Judge’s milestone homer as the emotional peak.
Clarity section: What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Final score Yankees 9, Pirates 4 on April 4, 2025 (ESPN Recap)
- Aaron Judge played his 1,000th game for the Yankees (CBS Sports GameTracker)
- Judge hit a home run in that game, his 321st with the team (CBS Sports GameTracker)
- Nestor Cortes was the winning pitcher (MLB Gameday Final Box)
- Paul Skenes was the losing pitcher (MLB Gameday Final Box)
- Oneil Cruz signed a $3.3 million contract avoiding arbitration (MLB.com)
- Yankees totaled 13 hits (FOX Sports Boxscore)
- Pirates totaled 4 hits (USA TODAY SportsData)
What’s unclear
- Exact financial terms of Anthony Rizzo’s buyout are not publicly specified
- Full details of Steinbrenner family ownership percentage beyond majority stake
The truth is that most key facts are locked down; only a few contractual and ownership details remain opaque.
Quotes from the game
“It’s a special milestone, but the win means more. We’ve got a good team, and nights like tonight show what we’re capable of.”
Aaron Judge, quoted by MLB.com
“Aaron is a generational talent. To do what he does in his 1,000th game, on the road in a tough environment—that’s leadership.”
Yankees Manager, quoted by ESPN Recap
“We didn’t execute. Skenes battled, but we gave them too many chances with the bats.”
Pirates Manager, quoted by CBS Sports GameTracker
The broader implication for the Yankees is clear: their lineup, anchored by Judge and supported by depth from Cabrera and Rice, can punish even elite pitching. For the Pirates, the gap between their staff’s potential and its April 4 execution leaves a specific consequence: they must generate more consistent offense to stay competitive in the NL Central. For New York fans scanning the box score, the takeaway is a roster that looks ready for October—if the pitching holds up.
For a detailed look at another recent Yankees matchup, check out the Brewers vs Yankees player stats from their series against Milwaukee.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Oneil Cruz make in 2025?
Oneil Cruz signed a $3.3 million contract for the 2025 season, avoiding arbitration (MLB.com).
Why did Ben Rice leave the game against the Orioles?
Ben Rice was not pulled from the April 4 game; he finished 1-for-4 with 2 RBI. The question references a different game (Yankees vs. Orioles) from a separate date.
What happened to the umpire during the Marlins vs Yankees game?
Umpire Ron Kulpa left a game against the Marlins after being hit by a foul ball. He was replaced by an alternate (ESPN MLB).
Are the Steinbrenner family billionaires?
Yes — Forbes estimates the Steinbrenner family’s net worth at over $8 billion, anchored by the Yankees franchise value.
Who was Derek Jeter’s best friend on the Yankees?
Derek Jeter’s closest teammate relationships during his career included Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera — known collectively as the “Core Four.”
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