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Aaron Judge opted to skip the Home Run Derby this year, but he still brought the power to the nation’s capital. The Yankees outfielder put the American League on the board first with a home run off of Max Scherzer.
Judge fouled off a first pitch strike — a 95 mph fastball — to start the at-bat. He did the damage on the second pitch, a fastball up and in. He turned on the ball and absolutely crushed it. It was an absolute moonshot of a home run. Just see for yourself:
ALL RISE IN THE ALL STAR GAME.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 18, 2018
Aaron Judge goes YARD off Max Scherzer. pic.twitter.com/O7KsG13Tx4
Gleyber Torres liked what he saw. He captured the moment on camera from the dugout.
Love this Gleyber Torres reaction to Aaron Judge’s #AllStarGame bomb. #Yankees pic.twitter.com/q1lY8QvmIc
— Matthew Hochberg (@Hochberg) July 18, 2018
My First all star video and your first HR @TheJudge44 pic.twitter.com/9HvWkoKdq9
— Gleyber Torres (@TorresGleyber) July 18, 2018
Perhaps the best part, however, is how Luis Severino caught the ball! The Yankees ace was warming up in the bullpen, in perfect position to reel in his teammates’ home run. You cannot make this stuff up.
Luis Severino caught Aaron Judge's homer from the bullpen! pic.twitter.com/vxzKGH0jZB
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) July 18, 2018
Severino then fired a scoreless second inning to preserve the American League’s lead. So far it’s been a great night for the Yankees!