Aaron Judge hits home run No. 60, one away from tying Roger Maris’ American League record
He’s one away.
Aaron Judge led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a 430-foot shot to left-center field for his 60th home run of the season. Judge tied Babe Ruth’s 1927 record as the Yankees came back against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 9-8 walk-off victory at Yankee Stadium.
Judge is one shy of the American League record set by Roger Maris in 1961, with Maris’ family in attendance at the Stadium to see him challenge his record.
With the shot off of Pirates’ right-hander Will Crowe, Judge became just the sixth player in Major League history (ninth time) to hit at least 60 home runs in a single season, tying Babe Ruth’s long-standing record of 60.
Only Maris, Barry Bonds (73 in 2001), Mark McGwire (70 in 1998 and 65 in 1999) and Sammy Sosa (64 in 2001 and 63 in 1999) have hit more home runs in a single season.
Judge has 14 games left in the season. The next five games are at home, giving Judge a chance to tie and break the home run record in Yankee Stadium. Eight of the last 14 games will be played in the Bronx.
After Tuesday night’s game, Judge is slashing .316/ .393/ .585. He leads the majors with 60 homers and 128 RBI. The slugger is also in the conversation for the Triple Crown award. His .316 batting average leads the American League, which would award the All-Star the Triple Crown award if the season ended today. Minnesota Twins infielder Luis Arraez is second in the American League batting average standings, hitting .314.
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