Aaron Judge Lifts Yankees with Tiebreaking Homer
On April 16, 2025, Aaron Judge ended his 10-game home run drought by launching a pivotal homer that helped the New York Yankees secure a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals. This win marked a successful conclusion to a three-game series sweep for the Yankees.
In the seventh inning, Judge’s powerful swing lifted a 1-0 sinker from pitcher John Schreiber over the right-center fence, landing the ball in the Yankees’ bullpen and igniting cheers from the crowd. This homer was Judge’s first since April 4 and showcased his incredible prowess at the plate.
The Yankees entered the game on a high note, boasting a 3-1 lead thanks to a two-run double from Anthony Volpe and an RBI double by Cody Bellinger in the third and fourth innings, respectively. Judge’s performance surpassed expectations, as he achieved three hits in the game and boosted his batting average to a league-leading .409.
Pitching Highlights
Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt had a strong showing in his season debut, pitching for 5 and 2/3 innings while allowing three runs on four hits. After struggling early, Schmidt bounced back and retired 11 consecutive batters, demonstrating resilience and skill.
The Royals fought back during the fifth inning. Drew Waters kicked off the inning with a single, leading to a tying run scored by Kyle Isbel. However, following Judge’s tiebreaking homer, the Yankees never looked back.
Cody Bellinger’s diving catch in right field during a tense ninth inning preserved the win for the Yankees, sealing Fernando Cruz’s first career save.
Looking Ahead
The Yankees now look forward to their upcoming series against the Tampa Bay Rays, while the Royals head to Detroit for a four-game matchup against the Tigers.
Conclusion
This impressive victory by the Yankees further solidifies their strong start to the season and showcases the standout talent of Aaron Judge.
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