Aaron Judge threw 35 pitches in five at-bats, wearing down Rangers pitchers and reaching base four times.
But such excellence has almost become expected from the Yankees captain.
Not many were expected to see Judge’s quality at-bats translate into runs.
But the Yankees’ No. 3 hitter got on base a few times Saturday because his defense — especially as the team’s No. 4 hitter — made the lineup less top-heavy.
The Yankees shutout Texas, 8-0, in the series opener and doubleheader opener in the Bronx, finishing with 12 hits, but Austin Wells scored four runs on a double and a single.
The Yankees (69-48) recorded their ninth win in their last 12 games before the nightcap, thanks to a strong offense that recorded 13 straight games with eight or more hits and quality pitching from Carlos Rodon.
“It was a really patient at-bat,” manager Aaron Boone said after the line, which forced the Rangers to throw 189 pitches in the first half of a long day. “We didn’t really break through the first time, but I felt the quality of the at-bat was there.”
The Yankees got Nathan Eovaldi out on six hits, several of which were RBI, in just three innings, and then added another run, including a home run by Jazz Chisholm Jr., to put the game in a lock.
While there were generally strong efforts, concerns remain.
Trent Grisham was replaced before the start of the fifth inning after hurting his left hand on a fastball in the last inning.
Initial X-rays were negative and Grisham’s injury was announced as a contusion.
He reached base twice before leaving in a game where the Yankees were aggressive on the basepaths.
The tone of the game was set quickly. Juan Soto singled in the first inning, then Judge singled on the ninth pitch of a back-and-forth with Eovaldi.
Wells’ hit to left-center field was caught, but No. 5 hitter Gleyber Torres hit a one-run single and the Yankees held on to their lead.
Soto and Judge (who singled on the sixth pitch he saw) reached base again in the top of the third before Wells smashed a double into the gap in right-center field to extend the lead to three runs.
“We, [Eovaldi]”They wore him out a lot,” said Wells, who looked a natural in the cleanup hole.
Wells, the cleanup hitter, is batting .362 (21 hits in 58 at-bats) with six runs, three doubles, one triple, two home runs and 13 RBIs in 14 games.
“I think it’s going well so far,” Wells said of his spot in the lineup.
The 3-0 lead grew even larger in the fourth inning, when Judge scored on an RBI double off the ninth pitch.
Wells came to bat and hit a two-run single through center field to give the Yankees pitchers a 6-0 lead, which was enough for them.
If Wells continues to bat like this, the Yankees will have no problem even if the opposing team pitches with Judge, who has been walking a lot recently.
After Soto and Judge wore down pitchers, Wells was able to take advantage.
“They’re seeing a lot of pitches, and I get to see it,” said Wells, who has reached base multiple times in 11 of his past 14 starts.
He also did his part defensively, holding Rodon scoreless over five innings as the Yankees’ pitchers allowed just five hits.
Rodon wasn’t the most efficient (he threw a season-high 110 pitches and recorded 17 outs), but he was at his best when he was in a pinch.
Texas went 0-for-4 against the left-hander with runners in scoring position, but the left-hander struck out six and saved his best pitches for the big moments.
The Rangers loaded the bases with two outs in the second inning, but Rodon induced a flyout by Jonah Heim to escape.
Two more runners reached base in the third inning, but Rodon struck out Wyatt Langford with a blistering 98.5 mph fastball.
Rodon got out of a jam again in the fourth inning, swinging and missing on a 98.7 mph fastball from Josh Smith after two runners reached base.
It was another good day for Rodon and his catcher, who lowered his ERA to 4.18.
“Defensively, I think he’s been great ever since he’s been here,” Rodon said of Wells, who caught scoreless innings off Ron Marinaccio and Tim Hill, “and now we’re seeing what the Yankees have seen with his hitting.”
