Aaron Judge blasted two home runs as the New York Yankees erupted for 14 hits in a 9-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium, snapping a brief skid and keeping their American League East hopes alive while improving to 81-65 and staying within three games of the first-place Toronto Blue Jays.
Judge homered in the first and third innings, the second a 434-foot blast, tying Joe DiMaggio for fourth on the Yankees’ all-time list with 361 career shots. He finished three-for-four with 100 RBI on the season. Giancarlo Stanton added his 20th homer, which gave the Yankees seven players with at least 20 this year, matching a franchise record. Jazz Chisholm Jr. drove in two and stole his 28th base, while rookie Ben Rice doubled twice and scored twice. Cody Bellinger and Austin Slater also plated runs.
Starter Cam Schlittler worked six steady innings, striking out seven and stranding the bases loaded in the fifth. He limited Detroit to one run on five hits and two walks to earn his ninth quality start of the year. Ryan Yarbrough handled the final three innings, giving up a pair of late runs but securing the save.
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Next, the Yankees (81-65) travel to Fenway Park for a three-game series against the Red Sox (81-66) beginning Friday night at 7:10 p.m. Luis Gil will face Boston’s Lucas Giolito.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].