Aaron Judge‘s pursuit of home run history continued Friday night at Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees’ captain launched his 49th home run of the season in a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies. The sixth-inning blast off Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland was Judge’s fifth home run in four games, extending his lead in the MLB home run race and bringing him within 13 homers of surpassing his personal best of 62.
Aaron Judge stays focused amid comparisons to legends
Aaron Judge’s lead in the home run race is significant, with Shohei Ohtani, his closest competitor, trailing by a wide margin at 39 home runs. Marcell Ozuna and Anthony Santander follow with 37 each, while Juan Soto rounds out the top contenders with 36.
Despite the growing attention on his remarkable season, Aaron Judge remains focused and downplays comparisons to legends like Barry Bonds.
“It’s not real. I try not to think about it. Even the Yankee greats here—Mantle, DiMaggio, Maris, Babe Ruth—it’s tough to comprehend or even think about,” Judge said when asked about the comparisons.
Aaron Judge’s performance fuels Yankees’ resurgence
Aaron Judge’s performance has been pivotal to the Yankees’ resurgence. Following a mid-season slump that saw the team’s rotation struggle, New York’s starters have regained their form. On Friday, Carlos Rodon, who was not with the Yankees during Aaron Judge’s record-breaking 2022 season, pitched six shutout innings, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out five. This marked the third consecutive scoreless outing by a Yankees starter, extending the staff’s scoreless streak to 19 innings.
Rodon has been impressed by Aaron Judge’s all-around game this year. “As we know, he’s probably the best hitter in this game,” Rodón said. “He’s a great player, but he’s a better teammate and better man, for sure.”
Yankees inch closer to AL East lead
The Yankees’ victory, their third straight, moved them closer to securing the top spot in the AL East, where they held a 2.5-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles by the end of the night. The win also highlighted the team’s improved pitching, which had struggled mightily during the summer. From June 15 to August 9, the Yankees’ rotation had the worst ERA in the majors at 6.26. However, in the 13 games since, they have posted a league-best 1.95 ERA.
Giancarlo Stanton also contributed to the win, hitting his second home run in as many days to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Anthony Volpe added to the score in the fifth, crossing the plate on a two-out fielding error by Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon.
In relief of Rodón, Luke Weaver, Jake Cousins, and Clay Holmes combined to preserve the shutout, with Holmes securing his first save since a blown save in last Sunday’s Little League Classic. The Yankees’ bullpen has been a key factor in the team’s recent success, as they have blanked opponents in four of their last five games.
Aaron Judge’s latest home run brings him within striking distance of his American League record of 62 home runs, set in 2022. With 49 home runs through 129 games, Judge is on pace for another 62-homer season, which would further etch his name in the history books.
As the season progresses, the baseball world will be closely watching Aaron Judge’s quest for another record-breaking year.
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