Aaron Judge on Sunday homered in the first inning and played a central role as a base runner during a seven-run rally in the sixth as the New York Yankees defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 15-5.
Anthony Rizzo went four for four and hit his 300th career homer. Anthony Volpe added a three-run shot on his 23rd birthday. Judge went three for four with three RBIs.
New York also beat Milwaukee 15-3 on Saturday, marking the first time since 2007 that the Yankees scored at least 15 runs in back-to-back games.
Photo: AFP
New York grabbed a one-game lead in the American League East over the Baltimore Orioles, who lost 7-6 to Oakland. The Yankees were to begin a four-game series at Baltimore yesterday.
“We’re excited,” Judge said. “We’ve been watching them from afar. They’re a great team. They’ve got a young, great team, did a lot of great things last year, especially winning the division. We’re excited to get out there and have some fun.”
Milwaukee’s Jake Bauers went three for five with a three-run homer against his former team. The 28-year-old first baseman also pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
The game was tied at 4-4 before the Yankees’ sixth-inning outburst. All seven of their runs scored with two outs after the Brewers failed to turn a double play earlier in the inning because shortstop Willy Adames’ attempted throw to first hit Judge’s padded left hand.
Judge was on first after drawing a leadoff walk when Alex Verdugo hit a bouncer to second baseman Brice Turang, whose throw to Adames retired Judge at second. Judge raised his left arm as he slid into second and Adames’ throw bounced off the slugger’s hand.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy argued that Judge should have been called for interference, which would have left the Yankees with two out and nobody on base. The umpiring crew disagreed, enabling Verdugo to stay at first with one out.
Judge said he merely slid into second the same way he has for years.
“You can look back at any picture you want of me sliding into second base,” Judge said. “That’s always happened.”
Verdugo scored the go-ahead run on Gleyber Torres’ single off Abner Uribe (2-2). The Yankees would score six more runs during a rally that culminated with a two-run single from Judge.
Elsewhere, the Red Sox tamed the Cubs 5-4, the Astros routed the Rockies 8-2, the Athletics edged the Orioles 7-6, the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers 3-1, the Tigers mauled the Royals 4-1, the Nationals mastered the Marlins 12-9 and the Mets overcame the Cardinals 4-2 in 11 innings.
The White Sox stung the Rays 4-2, the Twins trounced the Angels 11-5, the Diamondbacks sank the Mariners 3-2, the Rangers defeated the Reds 4-3, the Giants pipped the Pirates 3-2, the Phillies saw off the Padres 8-6 and the Braves beat the Guardians 4-3 in 10 innings.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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