New York, N.Y. — Aaron Judge delivered a standout performance as the New York Yankees snapped a six-game losing streak with a 6-4 victory over the New York Mets at Citi Field on Sunday. Judge’s contributions were critical as he extended his team’s lead with a pivotal home run and demonstrated defensive prowess when it mattered most.
In the fifth inning, Judge launched a two-run homer off a changeup delivered by Mets pitcher Max Fried, pushing the Yankees ahead 5-0. The towering shot, which traveled 388 feet to left-center field, marked Judge’s career-high 11th home run on the first pitch he faced this season. This was his 33rd home run of 2023, a figure that ties him with Yankees legends Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Roger Maris for the most home runs in the franchise’s history within the first 90 games of a season.
Reflecting on the moment, Judge admitted he initially wasn’t sure the ball would clear the fence. “I knew it was going to be a hit, I just didn’t know where it was going,” Judge said. He also expressed his focus on making a solid connection rather than predicting the outcome, highlighting his role as a base runner.
Judge’s impact wasn’t limited to his offensive contributions. In a crucial defensive moment during the sixth inning, he saved the Yankees from potential disaster. With the Mets rallying and the tying run on third base, Starling Marte, who had a strong game going 3-for-5, hit a line drive toward right field. Judge sprinted and dove to make a spectacular catch, preserving the Yankees’ lead and earning praise from manager Aaron Boone.
“That was another big play in the course of the game,” Boone noted. “They were pressuring us, and that play kept us ahead.”
In addition to his game-changing home run, Judge added to the scoreline in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly that allowed teammate Paul Goldschmidt to cross home plate, increasing the Yankees’ cushion to 6-4.
Despite a turbulent stretch where the Yankees went 6-22 in their previous games, Judge’s performance has remained consistent. Over the last 28 games, he’s maintained a .290 batting average, with an impressive OPS of 1.093 that includes 11 home runs and 21 RBIs.
Judge’s ability to deliver in high-pressure situations underscores his significance to the team. With the Yankees facing challenges this season, his resilience and leadership will be crucial as the team aims to regain momentum. As they look ahead, the win at Citi Field could serve as a turning point for a team desperately needing a spark.