In a thrilling duel against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Aaron Judge continued to etch his name into the annals of New York Yankees history with a remarkable performance in their 9-7 victory. Judge, hailed by Jazz Chisholm Jr. with admiration, became the third-fastest player in Yankees history to achieve 500 extra-base hits, following in the footsteps of legendary figures Joe DiMaggio and Lou Gehrig.
Reflecting on his accomplishment, Judge envisioned a future reminiscing about such milestones with laughter during Old-Timers Day. Winning his second AL MVP award recently, Judge just missed hitting for the cycle, boasting a .417 average with five homers and 15 RBIs across the first six games of the season. He joined the prestigious club, requiring only 999 games, a feat outpaced only by DiMaggio and Gehrig, who reached it in 853 and 869 games, respectively.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone marveled at Judge’s consistency, often assuming extraordinary feats from him due to his exceptional track record. Judge’s precision was on display as he hit a three-run homer off a 1-1 fastball from Merrill Kelly, recorded a run-scoring single, and managed a double despite his few unsuccessful swings.
Boone humorously remarked on Judge’s remarkable batting prowess and the lighthearted interactions during moments of mere singles or doubles. Judge, who also stole a base during the game alongside Chisholm, playfully suggested he’d catch up to Chisholm’s impressive stolen base tally from the previous season.
Despite Kelly’s struggle with career-high runs allowed during the Diamondbacks’ effort, Chisholm, hitting .292 with four homers, expressed his desire to reach Judge’s performance level. He emphasized the ongoing challenge to keep pace with Judge’s steady ascent in the sport.
The game underscored the Yankees’ hitting strength, with 22 homers throughout the opening homestand, establishing a record for their first six games. Giancarlo Stanton’s motivating words urged the team to defend their home turf following two consecutive losses, a sentiment resonating deeply with the players.
Carlos Carrasco secured his initial Yankees win, permitting three runs over 5 1/3 innings, while Geraldo Perdomo’s grand slam against Ryan Yarbrough provided tension in the later innings. However, Luke Weaver successfully concluded the game, ensuring an end to Arizona’s winning momentum.
Judge frequently revisits last year’s World Series defeat against the Dodgers, drawing motivation for future success rather than purely historical achievements. Emphasizing the importance of each game, Judge remains driven by the pursuit of something extraordinary this season.