Judge is now two homers off Roger Maris’ AL single-season record of 61, which the legendary Yankee right fielder set in 1961, and is on course to hit 65 on the year, which would be tied fourth highest on record. major league history.
“I focus on what I can to be a good teammate and help the team win. If that means hitting a home run, it means hitting a home run, but that was never my goal.”
The Brewers got off to a good start when Kolten Wong hit a three-run homer to put them up 3-0 late in the first. Yankee Oswaldo Cabrera hit a solo homer late in the second to cut the lead, but it was cut back to three when Brewers outfielder Tyrone Taylor hit back with a solo homer late in the second.
The umpire’s first home run of the day was a 414-foot shot to right center field in the top of the third inning, which cut the lead to 4-2. After a flurry of goals, his second — a 443-foot bomb to left center field in the top of the seventh inning — helped seal the Yankees’ victory.
The New York slugger went 4-for-5 with four RBIs on the day to raise his batting average to .316, just one run behind Minnesota Twins second baseman and AL leader Luis Arráez.
Given Judge’s sizable lead in the American League’s HR and RBI categories, his lead to a batting crown could lead to the AL’s first triple crown since Miguel Cabrera in 2012 and the Yankees’ first since 2012. iconic Mickey Mantle in 1956, according to MLB. com.
The Yankees have a six-game stand at home starting Tuesday, with two games against the Pittsburgh Pirates and four against bitter rivals the Boston Red Sox, and Judge only had one thing on his mind after the game. “We’ve got some big games coming up. That’s really the only thing that worries me right now,” he said.
“We’re in a pennant hunt, and the judge is sitting where he is, so there’s going to be that extra buzz every time he comes around,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after the game.
“I experienced that playing in the NL Central playing against Sammy [Sosa] and McGwire in 1998 where it’s like every time – it’s an event,” Boone continued. “And I think the fact that we’re where we are in the pennant race and what he does , hopefully should create an awesome environment to [Yankee Stadium].”
