Aaron Judge broke his longest home run drought with a go-ahead grand slam that propelled the New York Yankees past the Boston Red Sox in a thrilling 5-4 victory. The slugger ended his 16-game homerless streak with a clutch drive into the lower left-field seats off Red Sox reliever Cam Booser in the seventh inning, securing the Yankees’ 5-4 lead and expanding their AL East lead to three games over Baltimore with just 14 games left in the season.
When asked about his streak, Judge responded, “Was it 16 games? I didn’t really know that. It’s just another day. I really don’t focus on hitting homers. I’ve got a job to do.” However, his teammate Clarke Schmidt jokingly suggested that Judge was aware of the streak, saying, “He’s very aware of stuff like that, I think. You guys can decide for yourself.”
The grand slam was Judge’s eighth career and second of the season, sending the Yankee Stadium crowd and his teammates into a frenzy. Judge’s MVP-caliber season continued as he hit his 52nd homer of the year, leading the majors with 130 RBIs. Despite the drought, Judge remains focused on his performance and team goals.
Reflecting on the moment, Schmidt shared, “Words can’t describe how cool that was. Such a special moment. I don’t think there was anybody who wasn’t going crazy on this side, even in the stands.” Judge’s impactful home run marked a significant turning point in the game and showcased his superstar status in baseball.
As Judge looks to solidify his case for a second AL MVP award, his performance on Friday night spoke volumes about his ability to deliver clutch moments when it matters most. With the regular season winding down, Judge’s display of power and leadership has the Yankees poised for success as they push towards the postseason.
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