Yankees’ slide continues thanks to walk-off Rangers HR in extras; Aaron Judge back Tuesday

A change of venue was not the cure for what’s ailing the New York Yankees.

But help is on the way. Manager Aaron Boone announced Monday after an 8-5 loss to the Texas Rangers that Aaron Judge will return to the lineup Tuesday after missing 10 games with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Judge is expected to play designated hitter until he’s cleared to return to his spot in the outfield.

Prior to Boone’s announcement, the Yankees lost in heartbreaking fashion in extra innings.

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Yankees blow lead, lose on walk-off

The Yankees struck first with a leadoff home run by Paul Goldschmidt, then took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the second inning. But the Rangers batted around in the second to take a 4-3 lead.

The Yankees retook the lead and held a 5-4 advantage heading into the bottom of the ninth. There, pinch hitter Joc Pederson sent it to extras.

With the bases empty and one out, Pederson launched a 2-1 Devin Williams changeup over the plate into the right-field stands to tie the game at 5-5.

The blown save was the third of the season for Williams, a two-time All-Star and lights-out closer with the Milwaukee Brewers. With Pederson’s home run, Williams’ ERA in his first season in New York inflated to 5.10.

The blast set up Josh Jung for his 10th-inning heroics.

With a man on second and two outs, the Yankees intentionally walked Wyatt Langford to get to Jung in the six slot. Reliever Jake Bird left a 1-1 sinker thigh-high and just inside that Jung turned on. The result was a no-doubt home run into the left-field stands that ended the game.

Yankees in free fall, face critical games vs. Rangers

The loss was the Yankees’ fourth straight following an unprecedented three-game sweep at the hands of the Miami Marlins. They’re now 7-10 since the All-Star break.

The defeat dropped the once first-place Yankees to 60-53, 5.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East and 2.5 games behind the rival Boston Red Sox, who won their sixth straight game Monday night. It also left them with a 1.5-game cushion over the Rangers and in a tie with the Seattle Mariners for the last wild-card spot in the American League.

This three-game series against the Rangers could end up proving critical for the postseason standings, and it’s already going bad for New York.

Can Judge help Yankees turn things around?

Judge hasn’t played since July 25 with the elbow injury that landed him on the injured list. He took batting practice over the weekend and will return to the lineup Tuesday on his first day of eligibility.

As the Yankees face a multitude of problems, Judge’s return can’t come soon enough.