The Red Sox failed.
Aaron Judge didn't.
Hours before Sunday's game, Boston manager Alex Cora suggested the team had thrown fastballs that reached the bottom of Judge's feet the day before.
In the next game, Judge hit a 445-foot ball to center field, which may have been meant to send a message to the Yankees, but it certainly helped them win.
Judge's 53rd home run of the season was a two-run homer in the top of the third inning that was so spectacular that any other batter would have considered it a phenomenal hit. The home run may have been a motivational boost, though Judge denied it.
No special inspiration was needed, according to the Yankees captain, who simply dropped his bat a few steps before reaching first base.
“We're playing the Red Sox,” Judge said after the team's 5-2 home win. “It's a big rivalry, a big game and a big moment.”
The big moment on Saturday was unlucky for the Yankees.
Gerrit Cole intentionally walked Rafael Devers with the bases loaded in the fourth inning, which led to the Red Sox manager's implosion and subsequent outburst.
Cora was upset Saturday because he believed there was intent behind Cole's 0-1 cutter ball, which struck out Devers in the first inning.
Cora said the subsequent intentional walk made it “clear” that Cole didn't want to face Devers.
Before Sunday's game, Cora said he believed the feud between the two teams was over.
There were no fireworks set off, likely due to an unexploded bomb being set off on Saturday.
This matter has been resolved. [Saturday] “We had some opportunities around the sixth inning and just didn't get it done,” Cora said.
The first pitch Brian Bello threw in the top of the sixth inning Saturday was a 97 mph sinker that Judge dodged.
Judge's next at-bat was to hit a liner to center field.
Cora spoke with Judge after the fight and said the conversation was “professional.”
Judge called it a “good conversation” but declined to reveal more.
“You play this game a while and these things happen,” Judge said. “I think they're just protecting their players. Something's bound to happen. That's the way this game is monitored.”
“I think the most important thing is not to fail when you do it.”
Pitchers and managers often publicly deny their intentions, even when they are obvious.
It's rare for a manager to do something like Cora suggested his pitchers give Judge a “chance.”
“That's not acceptable. That's something that somebody else has to deal with,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “For now, the game is over with them. And that's it, we're heading to Seattle.”
But first we must consider Judge's well-timed retaliation.
Cutter Crawford swung and missed on an 0-1 fastball, but Judge launched it off his bat at 121.1 mph, sending it bouncing off the batter's eye and into the netting above Monument Park.
“That ball was hit nicely,” Boone said.
Judge is just the second time he has hit at least 53 home runs in a team's first 150 games.
The only other players to achieve this at least once with the Yankees were Babe Ruth in 1921 and 1927, and Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle in 1961.
“He's not,” Tommy Kahnle said.
