New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge faced immense scrutiny over the past couple of weeks despite posting one of the most memorable offensive seasons in MLB. As a prime AL-MVP contender, Judge was expected to do even better in the playoffs. However, his past track record got the better of him.
Aaron Judge has never been as dominant in the playoff as he has been in the regular-season stretch. That trend continued this year, as well as Judge’s home run drought extended to 9 playoff games. However, with the kind of at-bats he recorded, a breakthrough was just around the corner. That fateful moment arrived in Game 2 of the ALCS.
Aaron Judge Slams 2-Run Homer To Guide Yankees To 6-3 Win
In Game 2 of the 2024 AL Championship Series held on Tuesday at the Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees took a crucial 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians, securing a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The moment of the night belonged to captain Aaron Judge, who launched a towering two-run home run in the seventh inning to break the game open. His long-awaited postseason homer, his first of this campaign, provided a critical cushion and showcased why he’s such a vital leader for the team. Judge’s homer extended the Yankees’ lead to 6-2, delivering a spark after a night of mixed performances.
Gerrit Cole, the ace of the rotation, didn’t have his best outing, exiting in the fifth inning. However, the bullpen was exceptional, with Clay Holmes, Tim Hill, Tommy Kahnle, and Luke Weaver stepping up. Despite a solo home run allowed by Weaver to Jose Ramirez, the bullpen held strong to seal the win. Having said that, earlier in the game, Anthony Rizzo, playing in just his second game since returning from fractured fingers, had two key hits, and Alex Verdugo contributed an RBI double. Moreover, the New York Yankees had knocked out Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee in the second inning but couldn’t fully capitalize on some early opportunities, leaving them to lean heavily on their bullpen and Judge’s clutch blast. Regardless, Judge’s home run not only broke his postseason drought but also lifted the Yanks in front of their home crowd. They will now head to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4.
Judge Calls Baseball A Humbling Game After Playoff Flunk
Aaron Judge’s two-run homer in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians was not just a pivotal moment in the game but also a reminder of his immense impact on the New York Yankees’ postseason push. On a chilly night at Yankee Stadium, Judge acknowledged the unpredictable nature of hitting to center field.
“You never know on these windy, chilly nights… but the ghosts were pulling it out there to Monument Park,” Judge said. Meanwhile, as captain Aaron Judge further reflected on the game, he called baseball “a humbling game,” reiterating that the New York Yankees will need contributions from every player to end their championship drought.
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