I don’t know how tired the Maris family is of watching Yankees games, but they should theoretically continue to do so for at least one more night.
After all, Aaron Judge didn’t really get a chance to hit his 61st homer of the season yesterday, having been struck out first but walked the rest of the game. He didn’t really have any good shots.
Judge was unprotected in the lineup as he was walked four times by Toronto Blue Jays pitchers.
All other batters at the club received none. NONE!
Since his #60 home run a week ago, he has walked 12 times. We’re talking about two per game – on average, obviously.
I will not throw the first rock to the teams in the file since it makes sense not to give good shots to the best hitter in the league. It would be suicide.
But OK. In the end, the guys behind him did their job (Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres made the ball safe five times in all) and the Judge scored two of his five points.
Because yes, the Yankees won 5-2.
George Springer (early homer, a 52nd such in career) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (hit that brought in Springer) drove in the two Jays runs.
Vladdy, however, was criticized by his manager along the way for his lack of effort on the trails.
Not ideal.
But by virtue of the Orioles’ loss, the Jays’ magic number is now two. The challenge will be to make sure you finish first in the race for second best.
But thanks to the Yankees’ victory (and the Jays’ loss, of course), Judge helped his club secure the East Division title.
The Yankees, who are unlikely to be caught by the Guardians (who won Central) and likely won’t be caught by the Astros (who won West), should finish second and avoid second-best games.
The Yankees were therefore able to celebrate a bit in Toronto in all this. They did it “in the house of Vladdy”, who likes to remind that Toronto loves its Blue Jays.
It’s fair game.
Note that Jameson Taillon had a strong game, he even started the eighth inning and only gave up two runs.
Jose Berrios was… worrying. He did, however, collect his 1,000th career strikeout.
- Auston Matthews threw out the first pitch at Rogers Centre.
- 40 circuits for Pete Alonso… and in New York, it sings MVP.
- Wonderful. She is 103 years old!
- The Orioles hitter is on fire.
