The Yankees got pretty good contributions from a lot of players in this game. Gary Sanchez and Greg Bird each hit home runs. CC Sabathia had a tough seventh inning and got knocked out of the game, but was pretty good through the first six. Chad Green and David Robertson were both good out of the bullpen. However, this game will mainly be remembered for one person.
Aaron Judge hit two home runs, tying and then breaking Mark McGwire’s record for home runs as a rookie. He finished the game with 50 for the season. As he’s done many times this season, Judge led the way, helping the Yankees beat the Royals 11-3.
The Yankees got on the board in the bottom of the first. Brett Gardner led off the game for the Yankees with a bloop single. After Judge made a very loud fly out, Sanchez doubled to right, moving Gardner to third. Didi Gregorius then grounded out, but Gardner was able to make it home for the game’s first run.
In the third inning, the Yankees added to their lead thanks to our large baseball son. With Gardner on first, Judge hit his 49th home run of the season. That one put him equal with McGwire for the record, but the tie wouldn’t last for very long.
Before that, the Yankees extended their lead even further in the sixth. Gregorius reached on a bloop single, and came all the way around to score when Matt Holliday doubled. Bird then added a home run, continuing his recent hot streak, and taking the lead out to six runs.
Sabathia was good early, not allowing any baserunner until the fourth inning. The Royals had gotten just three hits through the first six innings, but they did start to get to him in the seventh. After a Eric Hosmer single to start the seventh, Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas hit back-to-back home runs. Those homers would be it for Sabathia, as Joe Girardi went to Chad Green. Sabathia went six innings, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk. Green came in and walked a batter, but was otherwise perfect in the seventh.
In the bottom of the seventh, Judge struck again. He hit another home run, giving him 50 and the rookie record. It’s been a pretty good year for him.
Sanchez then reminded us that he is also good by following Judge with a home run of his own.
David Roberston threw a scoreless eighth inning, and then the Yankees picked up some more runs. Ronald Torreyes doubled and moved to third on an error, scoring when Gardner followed that with a double. Judge got another at bat, but that one ended in a walk. It didn’t add to his home run record, but it did do this:
120 walks now for Judge. Most ever by a #Yankees RH batter in one season. Willie Randolph set old mark of 119 in 1980.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) September 25, 2017
A Sanchez single was followed by a Gregorius single, pushing across another run. Holliday added a sac fly, scoring a pinch running Clint Frazier to put the Yankees up eight.
Tommy Kahnle threw an easy bottom of the ninth to finish off the win. Lots of people did good things for the Yankees today. However, Aaron Judge’s great day to add to a great season is what will be remembered.