Seven games remain to hit number 62

All rise.

The New York Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 8–3 on Wednesday.

Aaron Judge had the most clutch hit of the night, and it was a historic one.

On a 3–2 sinker from Blue Jays’ reliever Tim Mayza, Judge lined a bullet down the left field line that banged against the wall in the back of the Toronto bullpen to not only tie the record but give the Yankees the lead for good.

It tied Roger Maris’ American League single-season record of 61 home runs.

Patty Judge, Aaron’s mom, and Roger Maris, Jr., Maris’ son, were in attendance for the historic blast.

It was his first home run in seven games, and he’ll return to New York for three more regular season games to try and hit number 62.

“I was able to battle off a couple of tough pitches, and finally got one over the heart of the plate and put a good swing on it,” Judge said.

Game summary

The Yankees put three runs up in the first, thanks to RBI singles by Josh Donaldson and Oswald Peraza, and a sacrifice fly courtesy of Marwin Gonzalez.

Toronto put up their own three-spot in the sixth inning to tie the game.

Danny Jansen homered to start, Bo Bichette hit an RBI single, and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. added a sac fly.

Gerrit Cole threw 6.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on three hits, walked one, and struck out four.

Judge responded with his historic blast in the seventh, a two-run shot to put New York back in front. Harrison Bader added an RBI single as well.

A throwing error by Toronto reliever Adam Cimber allowed two more runs to score in the ninth.

Zach Britton was only able to get one out in his long-awaited return, as Scott Effross finished off the inning.

Clarke Schmidt Aroldis Chapman threw scoreless innings.

Cole (13–7) earned the win.

Offensive notes

Wednesday, Sep. 28, 2022, was all about Judge.

He is on pace to hit 64 home runs this season, and his 62nd could come in the Bronx.

His swings were spot on before his homer, meaning the baseball world might not have to wait long for number 62.

All eyes will be on Judge and the Yankees when they return to the Bronx for three final regular season games.

Pitching performance

Gerrit Cole carried a perfect game into the sixth inning before Jansen got a hold of a hanging breaking ball and crushed it over the wall.

However, Cole also tied a franchise record tonight.

With his four strikeouts, he tied Ron Guidry’s single-season strikeout record of 248.

It’s yet to be determined if Cole will pitch again in the regular season, but if he does, it will be in Texas against the Rangers, where he’ll need one strikeout to set the franchise record.

The bullpen was solid once again, as Britton made his return, albeit a shaky one.

Chapman looked great in his lone inning, striking out two and fielding a grounder back to the mound to end the ballgame.

Looking ahead

Following an off-day Thursday, the Yankees will return to Yankee Stadium on Friday to face the Baltimore Orioles.

Domingo Germán (2–3, 3.30 ERA) will face Austin Voth (5–3, 4.19 ERA).

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.

Let’s go Yankees (and Judge)!