Judge robs Lindor of HR, makes up for whiffs at plate

HE would end Sunday night with three more strikeouts and one walk, and overall his numbers at the plate for this division series are an unsightly 0-for-10 with eight whiffs.

But American League MVP candidate Aaron Judge can do damage with more than his bat, and he proved that in Game 3 of the ALDS, when his theft of Francisco Lindor’s would-be two-run home run in the sixth inning was a game-changing defensive gem.

“I had to do something. I wasn’t making any contact at the plate, so you’ve got to make an impact on the game somehow. Luckily I was able to do it on defense,” said the 6-foot-7 Judge.

Roberto Perez led off the top of the sixth with a single to left, and Giovanny Urshela lined out to Judge for the first out. Lindor, who smoked a grand slam in Game 2 in Cleveland, then stepped up to the plate against Masahiro Tanaka and blasted a high fly toward Judge.

“I started going back and I thought I had a little bit of room. But once I felt the wall, I just gave it about a sixinch jump and was able to get it,” said Judge. The rookie right fielder leaped right at the huge yellow and red W.B. Mason sign splashed across the outfield wall and snared the ball just before it sailed over. Jason Kipnis then flied out to center to end the inning.

Judge’s catch also prevented notorious ball hawk Zack Hample, who was right behind Judge with his glove in the right field stands, from adding to his memorabilia collection, which includes the ball from Alex Rodriguez’s 3000th hit.

“He’s Bigfoot out there. All he had to do is reach his hand up. I’m just glad it was him. I know I’d have to jump as high as possible to get that thing,” said Yankee third baseman Todd Frazier of Judge’s catch.

Earlier in the game, the Indians had another scoring opportunity when Kipnis hit a one-out rope to right that clanged off Judge’s left wrist and fell for a triple. “Off the bat, I didn’t think I had a chance, but as it got closer, I was right there. Wasn’t able to make the play,” said Judge of Kipnis’ hit.

But Judge got revenge on the Tribe in the sixth, and his highlight catch proved pivotal since teammate Greg Bird’s home run in the seventh turned out to be the lone run in the game.

“Lindor, you never know what he’s gonna do. He’s got a lot of pop. He can put the barrel on the ball,” said Judge. “Right off the bat I kind of felt like it was going to stay in the park.”

“(Judge) is a big man. Good thing he’s out there in right field,” said Yankee reliever David Robertson.