New York Wins But Aaron Judge Leaves Game Against Kansas City
Despite New York’s win over Kansas City something unfortunate happened and that something was yet another injury. This time to the player who you see tossing the ball back and forth with children during innings from time to time and that player is right fielder Aaron Judge.
The Yankees hit four home runs Saturday, tied for their second-most in a game this season. They would've had five if not for a fan-interference call against Gleyber Torres. Ultimately, that extra home run did not matter, as the Yankees cruised to a 9-2 win over the Royals at Yankee Stadium -- but with plenty of concern for slugger Aaron Judge. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-exits-with-injury-in-yankees-4-hr-win
The homers started early, with Judge hitting a solo home run in the first inning as the second batter of the game against Royals starter Heath Fillmyer. There mood shifted in the sixth inning, though, when Judge exited with a left oblique injury after hitting a single. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-exits-with-injury-in-yankees-4-hr-win
"I don't want to understate how important Aaron is to our team," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "But he will continue to be a presence, and I feel like our guys are very resilient. We've had to deal with a lot of adversity already, and we will embrace this opportunity to go out and perform." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-exits-with-injury-in-yankees-4-hr-win
The team performed Saturday -- to the tune of four home runs. It was the Yankees' third game this season with as many as four home runs. They also hit four on April 4 at the Orioles, and hit seven on April 7 in Baltimore. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-exits-with-injury-in-yankees-4-hr-win
The Yankees' nine runs were their second-most in any game this season, trailing only the aforementioned seven-homer game, when they scored 15 runs. And aside from the Judge home run, they did not come from the usual suspects. Clint Frazier homered in the second inning, his career-best fifth home run of the season. Entering 2019, he had four career home runs in 54 games. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-exits-with-injury-in-yankees-4-hr-win
Frazier has capitalized on opportunities for increased playing time given the state of the Yankees' roster. His three-hit game Saturday, including a home run, double and single, was just another example of that -- and it couldn't have come at a better time for the club. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-exits-with-injury-in-yankees-4-hr-win
"It's been a lot of fun. I'm enjoying my time up here and I'm trying to make it a tough decision whenever some of those guys do come back, and I think I've done that," Frazier said after the game. "Right now, I'm just trying to do the best that I can, because obviously there's some guys missing from our lineup, and others have to step up and I'm trying to be one of those guys." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-exits-with-injury-in-yankees-4-hr-win
After Torres' home run was overturned in the third, Mike Tauchman and DJ LeMahieu added home runs in the fourth inning. For LeMahieu, it was his first home run since joining the team. Tauchman's production could be particularly important moving forward, too, with Judge expected to require a trip to the injured list. Tauchman could be a candidate to play in the outfield in Judge's place. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-exits-with-injury-in-yankees-4-hr-win
Boone noted the importance of having players like Tauchman and Frazier to step up. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-exits-with-injury-in-yankees-4-hr-win
"Those guys have been instrumental in us winning ballgames and will continue to be," Boone said. "I truly believe that those guys playing meaningful roles here in important games will serve us well down the road." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-exits-with-injury-in-yankees-4-hr-win
Brett Gardner pointed out the successes of players who have been filling in, too. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-exits-with-injury-in-yankees-4-hr-win
"Guys have done a good job of stepping up, having good, professional at-bats, and just keeping the line moving. Not trying to do too much, doing a good job of getting on base. It's good to see." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-exits-with-injury-in-yankees-4-hr-win
That depth will continue to be tested next week as the Yankees embark on a nine-game West Coast road trip. Beginning Monday night, they'll visit Mike Trout and the Angels for four games before traveling to San Francisco and Arizona. Their next home game is May 3 against the Twins. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-exits-with-injury-in-yankees-4-hr-win
New York will return to the diamond on Sunday afternoon where New York will look to take the series while Kansas City will look to earn a split.
First pitch is set for 1:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Yes.