In recent weeks, as Aaron Judge shook off his sluggish start to the season, the narrative surrounding the Yankees had been that he hadn’t quite found his rhythm yet.
Despite Judge’s reluctance to acknowledge it, his recent performances at the plate suggest otherwise, with Wednesday’s game offering the most compelling evidence yet.
Judge hammered his 11th home run of the season, a mammoth 467-foot blast, and contributed three doubles and a walk to propel the Yankees to a 4-0 victory over the Twins at Target Field.
Judge has turned things around after a cold start to 2024
Grinning, Judge commented, “We’re getting there, we’re getting there. Not there yet. Hopefully, we get there when we’re talking in November.”
Marcus Stroman’s solid pitching, delivering six shutout innings, effectively kept the Twins at bay as the Yankees secured their ninth win in their last 11 games and clinched their 11th series win out of 14 chances.
Just a short while ago, Aaron Boone was fielding questions about Judge’s subdued start, urging patience from fans and pundits alike.
Boone remained steadfast, insisting that Judge would soon break out in a big way, and opposing pitchers would pay the price. That prophecy seemed to come true, especially evident in Judge’s colossal home run off Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez.
Reflecting on the game, Stroman, who had experienced Judge’s power firsthand in the past, remarked, “He’s hit that ball off me before. It’s not a good feeling. But he’s special, man, and he’s locked in right now… Huge momentum shifter.”
Indeed, Judge’s recent form has been nothing short of remarkable. Over his last 17 games, he’s batting .383 with a 1.350 OPS and seven home runs, significantly boosting his average and OPS from earlier in the season.
Boone couldn’t help but marvel at Judge’s resurgence, quipping, “I mean, it’s Aaron Judge. Yeah, so much for that tough start.”
Judge’s standout performance in this game was evident from the outset, as he wasted no time, crushing the first pitch he saw for a towering home run into the third deck of left field.
Alex Verdugo of the New York Yankees celebrates his single against the Minnesota Twins in the third inning
Boone described the spectacle as Judge looking “a little oversized for the park” and hailed it as an impressive display.
Judge’s 467-foot bomb ranked as the third-longest homer in the majors this season, trailing only his own 473-foot shot against the Astros and another by Mike Trout.
Judge’s impact wasn’t limited to his power display; he also contributed crucial hits throughout the game, including a timely double in the third inning that helped extend the Yankees’ lead.
Stroman’s gritty pitching performance complemented Judge’s offensive prowess, as he battled through six innings, allowing only two hits and three walks while striking out a pair.
For Judge, the secret to his recent success boiled down to one simple factor: making solid contact.
“It’s how it’s been all year, I’m just making contact,” Judge remarked succinctly.
