Chicago Cubs' Shota Imanaga pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Imanaga strikes out Aaron Judge twice, pitches 7 innings as Cubs beat Yankees 4-1

NEW YORK (AP) — Shota Imanaga struck out Aaron Judge twice while pitching seven sparkling innings, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 4-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday.

In his fourth start since returning from a strained left hamstring, Imanaga (6-3) allowed a homer to Giancarlo Stanton in the second and a single to Austin Wells in the seventh. He struck out six and walked one.

Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson homered for the Cubs, who headed into the All-Star break with 57 wins, their most since 2008. Daniel Palencia handled the ninth for his 12th save, finishing a two-hitter.

Stanton hit his 433rd career homer as the Yankees lost their second straight following a five-game winning streak. Judge struck out twice on splitters, a day after hitting his 350th career homer.

Cody Bellinger went 0 for 3 on his 30th birthday and had a career-high 17-game hitting streak stopped. He was traded from Chicago to New York in December.

Chicago Cubs’ Dansby Swanson (7) celebrates with Daniel Palencia (48) and Nico Hoerner (2) after defeating the New York Yankees in a baseball game Sunday, July 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Busch connected on Will Warren’s second pitch in his first career plate appearance in the leadoff spot. Swanson made it 3-1 with a tiebreaking two-run drive off Ian Hamilton in the sixth.

Pete Crow-Armstrong added an RBI infield single that scored Seiya Suzuki from second in the seventh when shortstop Anthony Volpe’s throw to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt bounced.

Warren (6-5) permitted two runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Key moment

Carson Kelly opened the sixth with a double over rookie left fielder Jasson Domínguez. After Ian Happ bounced to second, Swanson greeted Hamilton with a drive into the seats in left.

Chicago Cubs’ Dansby Swanson (7) celebrates with Carson Kelly (15) after defeating the New York Yankees in a baseball game Sunday, July 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Key stat

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Busch became the first Cub to homer in his first career plate appearance as a leadoff hitter since Willson Conteras on June 26, 2017, against Washington.

Up next

Cubs: RHP Colin Rea (7-3, 3.91 ERA) starts on Friday in the opener of a three-game set against Boston at Wrigley Field.

Yankees: Begin a three-game series at Atlanta on Friday night.

Chicago Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki (27) scores a run after beating the tag of New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

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