Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer in the first inning to become the fifth player to have three seasons with 50 home runs, and he added another homer in the seventh as the New York Yankees defeated the Colorado Rockies 10-3 on Sunday.
Judge reached his 50th home run in New York’s 131st game this season. Two years ago, when he hit 62 home runs to break Roger Maris’ single-season AL record, Judge reached 50 in the Yankees’ 129th game.
After going without a home run for five games, Judge hit an 0-2 changeup from Austin Gomber (4-9) into the Colorado bullpen beyond the left-center field fence to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead.
Judge joined Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Alex Rodriguez as the only players with three seasons of 50 home runs. Ruth, McGwire, and Sosa each had four such seasons, while Rodriguez had two with Texas and another one with the Yankees in 2007.
“It’s a great achievement, but there’s still more to be done,” Judge said. “This team has a big goal in front of us, and we’re all focused on that right now.”
Judge’s first-inning homer was his 18th of the season, tying him with Rodriguez (2001) for the most first-inning home runs in a single season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Judge is on track for 63 home runs this season, hitting one approximately every nine at-bats.
“We’re running out of words to describe what we’re seeing, especially in this era when hitting is tough,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “It’s just amazing to watch him, both as a player and a teammate, and to see his drive to improve each year.”
After flying out in the second and walking in the fifth, Judge lined a first-pitch fastball from rookie Jeff Criswell into the right field seats for his 51st home run. After crossing home plate and being greeted by teammates, Judge took a curtain call.
“I didn’t want to leave until Boonie gave me the signal. He gave me a look and a nod, so I went out there,” Judge said. “The fans were really excited.
We hit a bit of a slow patch in the game. We had the lead, but then they started coming back. They were only down by one for a while, and for us to pull ahead with a few more runs, the fans got really fired up.”
Judge’s second home run happened between solo shots by Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton. It was the first time since September 17, 2020, against Toronto that the Yankees hit three consecutive home runs.
“That was a trifecta right there,” Boone said.
It was the fourth time this season that Soto, Stanton, and Judge all homered in the same game, and the second time in two weeks.
“I know how much power those guys have, so I have to be the one to get things started,” Soto said with a laugh. “I know they can do it quickly and easily.”
Gleyber Torres scored on Judge’s first home run and then hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning.
Judge hit his seventh homer in the last six games and his 10th in 13 games. He also has 47 home runs in his last 102 games.
“It’s unreal,” Stanton said. “He does something special every day.”
It was Judge’s 39th career multi-home run game and his fifth this season. He missed a chance for a third homer when he grounded out to end the eighth inning.
Torres and Soto also had RBI singles in the second inning before Judge saw six straight curveballs and flew out with two runners on base.
Charlie Blackmon scored on a forceout in the first inning after third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. made two errors. Rookie Drew Romo had an RBI single, and Ryan McMahon hit an RBI double in the fifth inning.
New York starter Marcus Stroman (9-6) allowed three runs and five hits over five innings.
Gomber allowed four runs and six hits over six innings.
“That’s why he’s the best player in the league,” Gomber said about Judge.
