Aaron Judge steals the show as Yankees defeat Blue Jays 7-4
John Allen
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New York Yankees 7, Toronto Blue Jays 4
TORONTO — On Monday night, Aaron Judge homered twice for the New York Yankees as they defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 7-4. One of Judge’s home runs was a season-long 462-foot shot over the center field batter’s eye, which he hit three pitches after manager Aaron Boone was ejected for appealing a called strike to the slugger.
Judge hit two solo home runs, one to right field against Alek Manoah (1-4) in the first inning and another to right field against Jay Jackson (114.9 mph) in the eighth inning, which put the Yankees ahead by seven runs.
Boone expressed that he had let out a pretty good scream and mentioned that it was good to see Judge really stick one like that with his second homer.
Judge drove in three runs and got on base five times. He hit two home runs in one game for the third time this year and the 30th time in his career. He walked three times, once when all the bases were full.
Judge went 1-for-19 with seven K’s in his career against Manoah.
When Boone contested plate umpire Clint Vondrak’s judgment of a 1-1 slider thrown below the zone as a strike, Vondrak ejected him from the game. After arguing with Vondrak and crew chief James Hoye, Boone emerged from the dugout to confront them.
Boone stated that he had thought Judge missed that particular shot, but he clarified that he was more fired up from the entire game. Additionally, he mentioned that he had informed Vondrak about Toronto’s dugout also complaining about him.
Reporters in Toronto saw Judge peering towards his own dugout before he hit a home run in the eighth inning. The others assumed he was trying to send them a message.
Judge said he was looking to see who on his team was yelling at Vondrak.
Judge expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation, stating that there had been quite a lot of chirping from their dugout, which he really didn’t appreciate.
Judge shared his perspective, mentioning that he believed that after the manager had given his input, it was essential for the team to focus on the fact that their pitcher still needed to make crucial pitches. He emphasized the importance of maintaining their lead and approaching the game with a diligent attitude. Additionally, Judge stated that he had addressed a few individuals in the dugout during the game, and he had continued the conversation after the game as well. He expressed his hope that such a situation would not occur again in the future.
New York has won six of their last eight games thanks to a two-run homer by Willie Calhoun in the first inning and RBI hits by Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Higashioka. The Yankees have the most home runs in the league this month with 29, while playing only 14 games.
Calhoun remarked that the offense had been clicking as a unit over the past week or so.
Right-hander Jimmy Cordero started the game with two perfect innings, and right-handed rookie Jhony Brito (3-3) followed with a shutout through the eighth.
Boone commented that Brito had provided them with exactly what they needed.
In the top of the eighth inning, Matt Chapman doubled off of Brito and later scored on a single by Whit Merrifield.
After Gleyber Torres made a costly error at second base, allowing Brandon Belt to reach, Kevin Kiermaier got Brito out of the game with an RBI single.
A run was driven in thanks to George Springer’s grounder to Ian Hamilton. Bo Bichette drove in a run with a single, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in another with a double (the ball really hit his bat twice). The final score was 7–4.
Michael King got Daulton Varsho out with a ground ball to end the inning and then got three more ground balls in a row to end the ninth. This was his third save in as many tries.
Manoah has lost his last four decisions. In four plus innings, he walked seven batters, let in five runs, and gave up six hits.
In his nine starts this season, Manoah has only finished five innings five times. All 32 times he started last year, he worked at least five innings each time.
UP NEXT
RHP Domingo Germán (2-3, 4.00) will get the start for the Yankees on Tuesday, while RHP Kevin Gausman (2-3, 3.38) will take the mound for the Blue Jays.
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- Categories: aaron judge, anthony rizzo, kyle higashioka, New York Yankees, Willie Calhoun
- Tags: aaron judge, anthony rizzo, kyle higashioka, New York Yankees, Willie Calhoun