Xavier Edwards homered on the first pitch of the game, giving the Marlins an early lead at Yankee Stadium.
Miami Marlins’ Xavier Edwards (9) celebrates after hitting a home run during the first inning of the New York Yankees’ home-opener baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
It didn’t last.
Aaron Judge answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning, and the Yankees went on to beat Miami 8–2 on Thursday. The loss drops the Marlins to 5–2.
New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge (99) hits a two-run home run during the first inning of the Yankees’ home-opener baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, April 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Pérez struggles with command
Eury Pérez allowed four runs over four innings and walked six.
After Edwards’ leadoff homer, Pérez walked Trent Grisham and gave up Judge’s home run. He recovered to finish the inning, but ran into trouble in the second.
Pérez issued four walks in the inning, hit Judge with a pitch, and allowed two stolen bases each to Jazz Chisholm Jr. and José Caballero. The Yankees scored twice without a ball leaving the infield and extended the lead to 4–1.
He threw 84 pitches, 45 for strikes.
Miami manager Clayton McCullough said before the game, “We win this series if we throw strikes.” The Marlins did not.
Limited offense
Owen Caissie hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, his second of the season, to make it 4–2.
Edwards’ leadoff homer was the first of his career. Miami finished with four hits and had only one at-bat with a runner in scoring position.
HOW DID CODY BELLINGER CATCH THIS BALL?! ? pic.twitter.com/g2JHdvX09V
— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2026
Cody Bellinger added a defensive highlight in the ninth, making a juggling catch near the warning track to retire Edwards.
Fans celebrate New York Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger (35) after catching a fly ball by Miami Marlins’ Xavier Edwards (9) during the ninth inning of a home-opener baseball game, Friday, April 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Game turns late
Will Warren held the Marlins to two runs over 5⅔ innings without issuing a walk.
Ben Rice added a solo homer in the seventh inning and a two-run double in the eighth as the Yankees extended the lead. New York outscored Miami 6–1 after the first inning.
International context
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Bahamas) and José Caballero (Panama) combined for four stolen bases, turning Pérez’s walks into runs and accelerating the damage in the second inning. Their speed was the difference between a survivable early deficit and a blowout.
Next
The series continues Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
Max Meyer (0–0, 5.40 ERA) is scheduled to start for Miami against left-hander Ryan Weathers (0–0, 2.08 ERA).
The Marlins will be looking for a cleaner outing from their pitching staff after issuing 11 walks in the opener.
