Watch CBS News

Judge Homers Off Stroman, Yankees Clobber Blue Jays

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge hit an early homer off respected Twitter rival Marcus Stroman, then scored on a disputed play during a seven-run burst in the sixth inning that sent the New York Yankees over the Toronto Blue Jays 9-1 Saturday.

Judge put the Yankees up 2-0 with his sixth homer, a two-run drive in the third. It came after Stroman and Judge exchanged tweets at the end of last season during which the Toronto ace said their "future battles will be legendary."

GettyImages-949663768
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge celebrates his third inning two run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on April 21, 2018. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Judge is now 7 for 16 with four home runs against Stroman (0-2).

It was 3-1 in the sixth when the Yankees loaded the bases with no outs. Aaron Hicks hit a chopper up the first base line and Stroman made a backhanded toss to catcher Luke Maile, trying for a forceout.

The ball bounced off Maile's glove as Judge slid in safely. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons unsuccessfully argued with plate umpire Will Little that Maile had possession.

Rookie Miguel Andujar added a three-run double and Judge capped the inning with an RBI single.

Montgomery (2-0) pitched six innings and allowed one run on four hits. He worked around three walks, and allowed the leadoff hitter on base in three consecutive innings.

Toronto loaded the bases in the third with one out before Montgomery was able to escape the jam with a strikeout and a popup.

Montgomery and two relievers combined to retire the last 15 Blue Jays batters.

Stroman, a prep star from Long Island, saw his ERA jump to 8.55. Six of the eight runs he surrendered in 5 1/3 innings were earned.

Steve Pearce singled home Randal Grichuk in the fifth. Grichuk was walked twice by Montgomery despite beginning the game with an .088 batting average.

FASTER AND FASTER

Judge's home run was his 62nd in his 201st game, making him the fastest player to reach 62 home runs in major league history. He surpassed Mark McGwire, who did it in 205 games.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: 2B Devon Travis ran on the field prior to the game for the first time since fouling a ball off his left foot Thursday night. Gibbons said Travis was feeling better and would be given one more day off. ... C Russell Martin was given the day off after catching Friday night. Gibbons also opted to give 1B Justin Smoak a day off.

Yankees: Placed reliever Adam Warren on the 10-day disabled list with a right back strain and recalled right-hander Jonathan Holder from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Holder pitched two perfect innings and struck out two. ... C Gary Sanchez was given the day off after catching Friday night's game.

Manager Aaron Boone said he is OK after getting hit with a foul tip behind the plate. ... A decision on activating INF Brandon Drury from the disabled list, possibly as early as next week, is really close, Boone said. Drury has been on the 10-day DL since April 7 with severe migraines and blurred vision. He said before the game that he's seeing improvement with his symptoms.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: LHP Jaime Garcia (2-0, 3.86) starts Sunday as Toronto tries to split the four-game series.

Yankees: RHP Luis Severino (3-1, 2.63) starts on extended five days' rest due to an off day Wednesday.

(© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.