Aaron Judge hit a grand slam in the seventh inning on Friday night against the Boston Red Sox, breaking an 16-game home run drought and extending the Yankees' lead in the AL East.
Aaron Judge's grand slam in the seventh inning on Friday night against the Boston Red Sox was a moment of pure catharsis for the Yankee Stadium crowd. The Yankees had trailed 4-1 heading into the bottom of the inning, but Judge's blast gave them a 5-4 lead and sent the fans into a frenzy.
For Judge, the grand slam was a welcome sight. He had not hit a home run in 16 straight games, the longest stretch of his career without one. The drought had come amid, arguably, Judge's best hitting season yet.
Aaron Judge's Grand Slam Breaks Home Run Drought, Extends Yankees Lead
With the grand slam in hand, Judge collected the 52nd home run of the season, improving his average to .321 with a 1.143 OPS and 130 RBI.
But before Friday, after he hit two home runs against the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 26, the six-time All-Star was hitting .204 (11 for 54) with 22 strikeouts in his next 15 games.
Aaron Judge's Grand Slam Breaks Home Run Drought, Extends Yankees Lead
The prior longest homerless streak of Judge’s career came during his rookie season, when he did not leave the yard in 15 games from Aug. 17 through Sept. 2 in 2017.
Before his current drought, Judge was on a torrid pace, hitting nine home runs over 10 prior games, making people wonder if he had a chance to break his own American League record for most home runs in a season that he set in 2022 with 62 home runs.
Aaron Judge's Grand Slam Breaks Home Run Drought, Extends Yankees Lead
Still Judge is currently in the driver's seat to win his second American League MVP award in three years.
Judge's grand slam was a reminder of his power and his ability to carry the Yankees. He is the face of the franchise and one of the best players in baseball. With Judge leading the way, the Yankees are poised to make a deep run into the playoffs.
Here are some additional details about Judge's grand slam:
* It was the 12th grand slam of Judge's career.
* It was the first grand slam by a Yankee since Giancarlo Stanton hit one on July 25, 2022.
* It was the first grand slam by a Yankee against the Red Sox since Alex Rodriguez hit one on Sept. 24, 2015.
* It was the first grand slam by a Yankee in the seventh inning or later since Mark Teixeira hit one on Sept. 28, 2016.
* It was the first grand slam by a Yankee against the Red Sox in the seventh inning or later since Derek Jeter hit one on July 1, 2004.
Judge's grand slam was a historic moment for the Yankees and for Judge himself. It was a reminder of his power and his ability to carry the team. With Judge leading the way, the Yankees are poised to make a deep run into the playoffs.
