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Aaron Judge’s Epic Home Run Propels Yankees Towards Twins Sweep
New York Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone and star player Giancarlo Stanton were left in awe as Aaron Judge smashed a massive 467-foot home run into the third deck of the bleachers against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.
“As soon as he hit it, it was one of those moments where you just had to watch and see where it would land,” Boone said. “Even Stanton ran up the steps to get a better view. That swing was something special.”
Judge’s homer was a game-changer, helping the Yankees secure their second consecutive win against the Twins. After a 5-1 win on Tuesday and a 4-0 shutout on Wednesday, New York is eyeing a series sweep in Minneapolis.
Yankees’ Pitching Excellence
For the series finale, the Yankees are putting their faith in right-hander Clarke Schmidt (4-1, 2.95 ERA). Schmidt has been on a roll, winning his last two starts, including a standout performance against the Tampa Bay Rays where he allowed only five hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings, with two walks and six strikeouts. While this will be Schmidt’s first start against Minnesota, he has faced the Twins twice in relief, giving up four runs on five hits over 4 2/3 innings, which resulted in a 7.71 ERA.
Twins’ Counter Strategy
The Twins will counter with right-hander Joe Ryan (2-2, 3.21 ERA), who recently impressed by holding the Toronto Blue Jays to one run on six hits over seven innings. In his three career starts against the Yankees, Ryan holds a 2-1 record with a 3.00 ERA, having walked four and struck out 20 over 18 innings.
Aaron Judge’s Recent Surge
Judge is on fire, hitting five homers in his last nine games, with his latest blast marking his 11th of the season. He finished Wednesday night 4-for-4. Despite his hot streak, Judge credits his success to his teammates.
“The guys at the top of the lineup, Volpe and Soto, have been amazing all year. They’re always on base, causing havoc for the other team, and that’s been a huge help for me,” Judge said.
Team Dynamics and Key Contributions
The Yankees’ recent success is a team effort, with significant contributions from various players. Anthony Volpe and Juan Soto, in particular, have been vital, consistently getting on base and creating scoring opportunities for the heavy hitters like Judge.
On the Twins’ side, Willi Castro faced some heat from the home crowd after a mix-up on Tuesday night. Castro caught a fly ball for the second out but seemed to think the inning was over, which allowed the Yankees to score another run. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli defended Castro, highlighting his dedication and hard work.
“Willi is incredibly competitive and works as hard as anyone. I know his heart is in the right place, and I decided to let him keep playing,” Baldelli said.
Conclusion
As the Yankees aim to sweep the series against the Twins, all eyes are on Aaron Judge and the team’s stellar performance. With Clarke Schmidt set to face Joe Ryan in the finale, fans can look forward to another exciting game. The Yankees’ combination of powerful hitting and strong pitching makes them a formidable force as the season progresses.
