NEW YORK (AP) — On Tuesday night, Aaron Judge became the hero the New York Yankees desperately needed. In a thrilling playoff game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Judge helped his team avoid elimination by rallying for a 9-6 victory.
Judge had a fantastic night, hitting a tying homer and driving in four runs. His performance was described as “MVP-like” by Yankees manager Aaron Boone. Judge went 3 for 4, scored three times, and even contributed defensively with key plays in the outfield, leading Yankee fans to chant “MVP! MVP!”
New York started the game down by five runs. However, they scored eight unanswered runs, bringing the best-of-five series to a crucial Game 4 on Wednesday night. Judge’s exceptional play was crucial, and after struggling in past postseasons, he is now hitting .636 in this series, with five RBIs and three walks.
“Tonight was special,” Judge said, “but there’s still more work to do.” He emphasized there are more moments like this to come in the postseason.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the Blue Jays also made headlines, hitting a go-ahead homer in the fifth inning. The Yankees’ comeback was notable, marking their largest rally in an elimination game. Historically, the only time they overcame a bigger deficit in the playoffs was in the 1996 World Series.
The Blue Jays, who had never lost when leading by four runs during the season, were brought down by key errors. Once trailing 6-1, consecutive doubles by Trent Grisham and Judge sparked New York’s comeback. Judge’s strategic approach, including consulting teammate Giancarlo Stanton about pitchers, highlighted his focus.
In one standout moment, Judge crushed a fastball clocked at 100 mph, launching a three-run home run that made baseball history. This was the first homer on a pitch that fast, hitting within 1.2 feet of the strike zone since pitch tracking started in 2008, according to MLB Statcast.
“It’s an amazing swing,” Boone observed, comparing Judge’s ability to legends like Edgar Martínez and Manny Ramirez. With a history of postseason woes behind him, Judge is now determined to secure his first World Series ring at 33 years old.
The Yankees not only showcased their fighting spirit but also hinted at a larger trend in this postseason of unexpected comebacks. An earlier study found that teams like the Yankees have increasingly reversed significant deficits, changing the dynamics of high-stakes games.
In short, Judge’s performance was more than just individual excellence; it symbolized potential change in the sporting landscape, showcasing that no lead is safe in October baseball.
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