New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The New York Yankees put an end to their holiday weekend of misery on Sunday. New York beat the crosstown rival Mets 6-4, avoiding a Subway Series sweep.
After dropping the first two games of the series, which came on the heels of suffering a historic four-game sweep at the hands of the Blue Jays, the Yankees closed the weekend with some momentum thanks to their most reliable pitcher and a big game from their captain.
To celebrate being named an All-Star, starter Max Fried earned his 11th win of the season. Fried struck out five batters in his five innings, granted did allow three runs on five hits.
Aaron Judge recorded just one hit in the game, but he made sure it was worth a lot. With a 3-0 lead in the fifth, Judge smashed a home run over the porch in left center field. Judge drove in three runs, so half of the Yankees' production.
Judge is now hitting .360 and is sitting just two behind Seattle's Cal Raleigh for the MLB lead with 33 home runs to go along with 74 RBI in 90 games. He's also slashing .468 on-base wise with a .734 slugging percentage.
Judge's home run was one of two by the "Bronx Bombers" on the day. Catcher Austin Wells also went yard, crushing a solo shot in the first for the first run of the game. Wells, who finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBI, now has 13 home runs, tying his single-season best from last summer.
Despite the win, there's still plenty of reason to be concerned about Aaron Boone's team moving forward. The Yankees (49-41) are only 3-7 in their last 10 games, with a couple of those wins coming against the lowly Athletics.
Pitching has been the major concern, especially when Fried is not on the mound. New York allowed opponents to score at least eight runs four times in their last six games.
Entering the new week three games behind Toronto in the American League East, the Yankees will welcome the Mariners to New York for a three-game series.
And then, after the battle of MLB's top two home run leaders in Judge vs. Raleigh, New York will stay home to face the National League Central-leading Cubs.
