Yankees ride Aaron Judge’s rocket—AL’s hardest hit of season—to victory

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Captain Aaron Judge’s bat delivers the AL’s hardest hit of the 2025 season to drive the Yankees win over the Mariners.

When the moment called for heroics, Aaron Judge answered with thunder. The Yankees’ captain unleashed a mammoth solo shot in the eighth inning Wednesday at T-Mobile Park, propelling New York to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

Judge’s titanic blast traveled an estimated 444 feet and left his bat at a blistering 117.7 mph, making it the most ferocious home run hit in the American League this season. Only Shohei Ohtani’s 117.9 mph drive ranks higher across baseball this year.

The triumph clinched the series against fellow division leaders and extended the Yankees’ recent surge as they improved to 25-18 before heading home for their crosstown rivalry series with the Mets.

Judge conquers frustration with power

Earlier frustrations dissolved into raw power when Judge connected. After two strikeouts and visible irritation with his timing against breaking pitches, the slugger pounced when Mariners reliever Carlos Vargas hung a 1-1 slider. The resulting blast vaulted over the left-field fence, transforming a deadlocked contest into a Yankees advantage.

“They were kind of just feeding me with sliders and off-speeds all series long,” Judge said postgame. “I really wasn’t disciplined on a lot of them, so I was just trying to lock in on something over the plate I could handle.”

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The blast wasn’t merely impressive—it was another chapter in Judge’s remarkable 2025 campaign. Aaron Boone called the homer “heavy” and “Big G-ish,” referring to Giancarlo Stanton. Through 43 games, he’s amassed 15 home runs, 41 RBIs, and a scorching .412 batting average, leading MLB in all three categories and fueling serious Triple Crown speculation.

Goldschmidt ignites Yankees’ comeback

Until the sixth inning, the Yankees trailed 2-0, struggling to capitalize against Seattle pitching. The breakthrough finally came when Anthony Volpe and Jasson Domínguez delivered consecutive two-out doubles against Mariners ace Luis Castillo, slicing the deficit in half.

The seventh inning featured a pivotal managerial decision. With left-hander Gabe Speier on the mound, Aaron Boone summoned veteran Paul Goldschmidt to pinch-hit for rookie catcher J.C. Escarra. The seasoned slugger ambushed the first pitch, launching it into the left-field seats to even the score.

“He’s killed lefties,” Boone said of Goldschmidt. “It’s just quality at-bats every day.”

The homer marked Goldschmidt’s first pinch-hit home run since 2011 and pushed his average against southpaws this season to an eye-popping .571 (20-for-35) with four round-trippers.

“Coming here, it’s a little bit of a different role,” Goldschmidt said. “I’ve just tried to embrace that and was excited for something new. … It’s fun to have those opportunities.”

Warren shows composure and caliber

Yankees rookie Will Warren continued his development with another solid outing. Following his impressive 7⅓-inning performance in Oakland, Warren delivered five strong innings in Seattle, surrendering just three hits and two unearned runs. He recorded a career-high nine strikeouts while issuing only one walk.

Seattle’s damage came in the third after a defensive miscue extended the inning. Leody Taveras hit a chopper that was misplayed between first and second. DJ LeMahieu made a clean play and throw, but first baseman Ben Rice was late covering the bag. The play was initially scored as an error on LeMahieu before being changed to a hit.

With two outs and bases loaded, Julio Rodríguez slashed a double just inside the right-field line, giving the Mariners a 2-0 advantage. Warren responded impressively, retiring the next several batters in order, including five strikeouts among six batters to begin the contest.

“He puts in the hard work every day,” Judge said of Warren. “Shows up the same guy every day, and I think that’s why he gets the results he does.”

Bullpen holds the line, Weaver slams the door

The Yankees’ relief corps proved flawless after Warren’s departure.

Tyler Matzek, Ian Hamilton, and Fernando Cruz combined for three scoreless frames. Cruz navigated a tense eighth inning, escaping a first-and-second, one-out jam by inducing Rowdy Tellez into an inning-ending double play.

Luke Weaver closed things out dramatically despite pitching on minimal rest after a 21-pitch outing the previous day. The right-hander struck out all three batters he faced on just 14 pitches, securing his fourth save and preserving Judge’s game-winning blast.

Judge’s greatness continues

Judge continues etching his name deeper into baseball lore with each series. With 15 homers already and an OPS exceeding 1.275, he’s tracking toward one of the most prolific offensive seasons in both franchise and MLB history.

“He’s just doing so many amazing things,” Goldschmidt said. “They’re not making many mistakes to him. When they do, he makes them pay.”

The Yankees have now won eight of their last ten contests, gaining momentum despite significant injuries throughout their roster. Their organizational depth—highlighted by contributions from emerging talents like Warren and established stars like Goldschmidt—has proven invaluable.

As they return to the Bronx for their rivalry matchup with the Mets, the spotlight remains fixed on their towering captain, who continues redefining what franchise leadership looks like in today’s game.

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