WASHINGTON, D.C. – Aaron Judge’s bat has demanded constant praise over the last several months, but the history-chasing slugger reminded folks that he’s a damn good defender on Monday night when ex-Yankees prospect Andrés Chaparro drove a ball to the wall at Nationals Park.
With a potential home run launched in the fourth frame, Judge made a leaping catch at the top of the wall in center. The captain didn’t stop there, though, as Judge then started a relay that doubled up James Wood after Gleyber Torres connected with DJ LeMahieu at first base.
Justice is served. @TheJudge44 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Kyri1CQIh6
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 26, 2024
The highlight-reel-worthy play, one of the Yankees’ better ones this season, ended the inning and preserved a 2-0 lead.
The Yankees responded to Judge’s heroics with high-fives and animated expressions. Back in the dugout, Jazz Chisholm Jr. draped a towel over Judge as if it were a cape.
Super Judge 🦸♂️@j_chisholm3 x @TheJudge44 😂 pic.twitter.com/yMkB40zZY0
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 27, 2024
While Judge had a relatively quiet night at the plate, going 1-for-4 with a walk and a single for his 1,000th career hit, his web gem stole the show as the Yankees beat Washington, 5-2.
Judge, who twisted and turned to catch another deep ball in the second inning, has played Gold Glove-caliber defense in the past, though he’s never won the award. However, with Judge manning center to accommodate Juan Soto this season, advanced metrics haven’t rated his work well.
He entered Monday’s game with -5 Outs Above Average and -6 Defensive Runs Saved.
Be that as it may, Judge likely saved at least one run on his jumping grab before the Yankees scored a few more of their own.
The Bombers first got on the board in the opening inning, as Gleyber Torres continued to thrive in the one-hole with a leadoff home run off Nationals left-hander Mitchell Parker.
It’s been a tough year for the second baseman overall, but he’s hit well of late, especially since reassuming the Yankees’ leadoff duties on August 16. Torres has batted first in every game since; he entered Monday’s game hitting .303/.439/.455 over nine coinciding contests.
“I would love for that to be the case,” Boone said pregame when asked if Torres has shown enough to take hold of the leadoff spot. Torres has been the manager’s choice with southpaws pitching, but hitting him first all the time would give Boone more left-right balance in his lineup.
“I’m loving his at-bat quality,” the skipper continued. “He’s certainly capable of being that guy. Hopefully it’ll continue.”
Austin Wells and Jazz Chisholm Jr. also hit solo home runs in the sixth and eighth innings, respectively. The Yankees scored additional runs in the fourth and sixth innings when DJ LeMahieu brought Anthony Volpe home with sac flies.
Volpe doubled prior to the first one. He had to be checked on by trainers before the second one, as he hit his head in a collision while sliding head-first into second base following a Nationals error. However, he stayed in the game and stole third before LeMahieu brought him home.
Volpe now has 24 stolen bases, matching the sophomore’s career high.
On the mound, Nestor Cortes held the Nationals to four hits and a Juan Yepez solo homer over 6.2 innings. He also walked two and struck out five over 91 pitches.
Yepez’s seventh-inning shot is the only run Cortes has allowed over his last three starts. The Nationals scored another run in the eighth when No. 9 hitter Jacob Young went yard off Mark Leiter Jr.
Meanwhile, Judge wasn’t the only outfielder to make a great catch, as Alex Verdugo tracked down a Keibert Ruiz fly ball with a man on second in the second inning before slamming into the left field wall. He was also checked on by trainers but stayed in the game.
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