Even when the Yankees were two outs from a loss with the bases empty and facing the league’s saves leader, Aaron Judge said there was never a doubt in the dugout.
Perhaps that confidence and belief has helped the Bombers to a league-best 21-8 record, and helped them to a walk-off win on Tuesday thanks to a no-doubt blast from Judge.
“There’s never quit in this team, especially playing here in Yankee Stadium with these fans,” Judge said. “Never a doubt.”
The Yanks looked dormant all night, coming off of a three-game set in which they managed just five runs. Yusei Kikuchi carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but Giancarlo Stanton tied it with a three-run short porch job in the sixth, then Yimi Garcia was surprisingly tossed for plunking Josh Donaldson two pitches later.
“We were chirping a little back and forth early on and I think that kind of locked us in,” Judge said. “Kikuchi had our number early on, but we just wanted to lock it in there at the end.”
That all led to the battle between Judge and Jordan Romano, who hung a 1-2 slider that Judge annihilated into the left field seats, though Judge said he at first needed to make sure it was enough to leave the park, perhaps hinting at the peculiar nature of the baseballs this season.
“I was a little nervous. I’ve hit a couple balls good and they can’t get out,” Judge said. “But I’m just trying to put a good swing on it. The guys in front of me had good at-bats. They made it easier on me to try and square one up.”
Judge’s blast did get out, by plenty, and the crowd that remained for a chance to witness a comeback were rewarded with Judge’s first career walk-off home run, which he said is tough to beat when it comes in the Bronx.
“This is pretty sweet right here,” Judge said, gazing around Yankee Stadium.
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