PHOENIX — Before the series started at Chase Field, Aaron Boone told Aaron Judge that he wanted him to go to the pool in right-center field someday.
The Yankees captain fulfilled his duty Wednesday in the biggest game of his young season, helping the team win the series.
Judge hit his first home run of the year. A batted ball from the field landed near the pool, giving the Yankees the lead in the 4th inning, and he added an RBI double in the 11th inning, giving them the winning run in the 6th inning. 5th win over the Diamondbacks.
“I accept it, I accept it,” the judge said with a laugh.
After missing late spring training with abdominal discomfort, Judge had a quiet start to the season, going 3-for-24 with a double and an RBI on Wednesday.
But he was by no means alone in this regard, as Juan Soto, Anthony Volpe, and Oswaldo Cabrera greatly fueled the Yankees’ offense throughout their 5-0 start.
Additionally, Judge hit a home run in the opening game last year, but it took him until the sixth game to hit a deep base in 2022. Of course, this was the first of his 62 games en route to winning that year’s AL MVP.
Wednesday was Judge’s first multi-hit game, with two hits for four, three RBIs, and one walk.
“It’s early in the season as a player that you look at the scoreboard and see what your average is,” Judge said. “When you see the guys above you hitting .600, it’s a little discouraging, but that’s part of the season. You’re going to reach 600 at-bats. You’re going to go through some tough times, but… , that’s a small amount compared to the entire season. It’s just about staying the course.”
Manager Boone called Judge’s home run “one of his signatures,” and he hit a low sinker in the opposite direction to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead.
“The judge was great,” Boone said. “He’s getting there. I felt like he was getting there little by little. [Tuesday] I only missed a few swings that night. With Aaron, it’s just a matter of time.”
Judge then came to bat in the 11th inning with the Yankees leading 5-4 and with one out and second base. He again hit a double to the opposite field, scoring Gleyber Torres from second base.
“As everyone knows, 9-9 is our captain. When he leaves, we go,” Alex Verdugo said.
Asked if he thought the Diamondbacks might intentionally give a walk with first base open, Judge wavered.
“I feel like I’m hitting .100 right now, so I think it was the right choice,” he said. “I haven’t been able to swing as well as I wanted, but it worked this time.”
