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NEW YORK — The Yankees were adamant that it would be just a matter of time before their big-swinging offense started to break out. Aaron Judge never had any doubt.
Judge enjoyed the 17th multi-homer game of his career on Friday evening, blasting long balls in the third and fifth innings of the Yanks’ 4-1 victory over the Guardians at Yankee Stadium.
Limited to one homer and two RBIs through his first 47 at-bats of the regular season, Judge seemed to be locked in against Cleveland. His third-inning shot off Guardians starter Eli Morgan came with DJ LeMahieu aboard, a 112 mph launch toward the right-field seats that traveled 397 feet.
Judge registered the same 112 mph exit velocity with his second homer of the night, a solo shot that flew 364 feet to right field off Cleveland rookie Tanner Tully, who made his Major League debut on Friday.
Playing center field for the fifth time this season, Judge also showed off his arm, uncorking a strong throw to third base in the fifth inning that cut down Andrés Giménez attempting to take an extra bag on Steven Kwan’s one-out single.
All 17 of Judge’s multi-homer performances have been two-homer games. According to ESPN Stats & Info, only five Yankees players had more such games before celebrating their 30th birthday (Judge turns 30 on April 26): Mickey Mantle (31), Lou Gehrig (25), Babe Ruth (22), Joe DiMaggio (21) and Roger Maris (18).
Judge’s eight multi-homer games at the current Yankee Stadium are second all-time since the facility opened in 2009, trailing only Mark Teixeira (nine).
