Yankees’ Aaron Judge Ends Home Run Drought with Grand Slam to Rally Past Red Sox
In a thrilling game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, Aaron Judge ended the longest home run drought of his career with a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning. The Yankees rallied to a 5-4 victory, extending their AL East lead to three games over the Baltimore Orioles. It was a much-needed win for the Yankees, who had been struggling in recent weeks.
Before the game, Judge had gone 16 games and 75 plate appearances without hitting a home run. However, he broke his dry spell with a clutch drive into the lower left-field seats off Red Sox reliever Cam Booser. The Yankee Stadium crowd of 45,292 erupted in celebration as Judge came out of the dugout for a curtain call.
This was Judge’s eighth career grand slam and his second this season. It was also his 52nd home run of the season, making him the leader in the majors with 130 RBIs. Prior to his drought, Judge had been on a hot streak, hitting nine home runs in just 10 games. His recent struggles had raised concerns among fans, but this grand slam proved that Judge is still a force to be reckoned with.
The victory not only ended Judge’s home run drought but also gave the Yankees a three-game lead in the AL East. This is the largest cushion they have had since a June 15 defeat at the hands of the Red Sox, which sparked a rough patch for the team.
On the other side, the Red Sox find themselves fading in the playoff race. With a record of 74-74, they are 4 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the last wild card spot. The loss to the Yankees further dampened their hopes of making a late-season run.
The game started with an unexpected twist as Red Sox starter Tanner Houck was scratched just before the first pitch due to right shoulder fatigue. Emergency starter Richard Fitts stepped in and pitched five shutout innings for Boston, keeping the Yankees off the board.
However, the Yankees managed to break through in the sixth inning when Masataka Yoshida hit a two-run home run off Yankees’ starter Clarke Schmidt. This gave the Red Sox a 2-0 lead and chased Schmidt from the game.
In the seventh inning, the Red Sox extended their lead to 4-0 with a two-run shot from Trevor Story, his first home run of the season since returning from a long injury layoff.
But the Yankees fought back in the bottom of the seventh. Zach Kelly, who had walked the bottom two batters in New York’s lineup, was replaced after an RBI single by Gleyber Torres. Reliever Cam Booser then walked Juan Soto on four pitches, setting the stage for Judge’s dramatic grand slam.
The win not only provided a much-needed boost for the Yankees but also highlighted the importance of Judge to the team’s success. His ability to come through in clutch situations solidifies his position as a key player for the Yankees.
Looking ahead, the Yankees will likely give Judge a break from playing in the outfield and have him serve as the designated hitter in the next game. This decision aims to give him a breather and reduce the risk of any further injuries.
In tomorrow’s game, the Red Sox will send Brayan Bello to the mound, while the Yankees will rely on ace Gerrit Cole. Both teams will be looking to build on their performances in tonight’s game and continue their push towards the playoffs.
In conclusion, Aaron Judge’s grand slam ended his home run drought and propelled the Yankees to a crucial victory over the Red Sox. The win not only extended their lead in the AL East but also showcased Judge’s importance to the team. With the playoff race heating up, both the Yankees and the Red Sox will be looking to carry their momentum into the next game and make a final push for postseason glory.
