Young sluggers embody classic Bronx Bombers

NO one dares suggest there is a modern-day Murderers Row in The Bronx, nor is there even the hint of any Mickey Mantle-Roger Maris assault on Babe Ruth’s 60 home runs.

But the Yankees could boast six players with 20 or more home runs in a season no one saw coming.

Aaron Judge, with an exit velocityrecord 121.1-mph screamer, ripped his 19th home run off Chris Tillman in a six-run first inning, No. 94 on the season for the Yankees, who would overtake the Rays (97) and Astros (97) as MLB’s home-run leader by the end of the night.

Moments later, Didi Gregorius crushed one into the right-field seats, No. 6 for him and No. 95 for the Yankees.

An inning later, Starlin Castro got the green light on 3-0 and whacked a three-run home run, No. 11 for him and No. 96 for the Yankees, and it was 9-0.

Two innings after that, Matt Holliday launched a three-run, oppositefield homer, No. 13 for him and No. 97 for the Yankees.

And finally, in the eighth, No. 9 for Gary Sanchez and No. 98 for the Yankees.

The thunder was accompanied by lightning in the right arm of burgeoning ace Luis Severino, who started the night with four perfect innings and ultimately surrendered two hits over seven innings in a 16-3 rout of the Orioles.

“You got guys that can go deep anytime,” Severino said.

As the weather warms, it is not out of the realm of possibility the Bombers could threaten the club record of 245 set in 2012. The 2016 Yanks hammered 183 homers.

The 2009 Yankees, who raked 244 HRs, became the fourth team in history (1996 Orioles, 2000 Blue Jays and 2005 Rangers) with seven players to hit 20 or more home runs: Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira, Hideki Matsui, Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada.

“We put a lot of pressure on the other team’s pitching, for the fact we have a lot of guys that can hurt ’em,” Holliday said.

Or as Judge said: “There’s not a hole. It’s a fun lineup to be a part of.”

Judge

The talk of the town is a threat to send a baseball into orbit out of the Stadium.

“I don’t know if it can be done,” Gardner said. “But if it can be done, he’d be the man to do it.”

Or as Holliday said: “He’s a stopand-watch-to-see-what-could-happen type of hitter. I think he’s got a real feel for his swing for such a young guy.”

Aaron Hicks

Has earned more playing time even when Jacoby Ellsbury returns from his concussion. Ten homers in 158 at-bats gives him an AllStar Game shot.

“You combine excellent talent with a guy that is continually getting his ‘A’ swing off, you’re gonna get production,” Holliday said.

Sanchez

The drop from second to sixth in the batting order has reignited him, although no one doubts he’ll mash anywhere in the lineup. He has only 129 plate appearances following his return from a right biceps injury after his eye-opening 20 shots in 201 at-bats as a rookie.

Gardner

He has 76 career home runs with a career-best 17 in 2014. No one expected the gritty leadoff man to have 13 homers in 216 at bats this season.

“This guy’s strong, he’s got a good swing, and I think he’s just looking to pull the ball a little bit more this year than maybe he has in the past,” Holliday said.

Castro

In his first year as a Yankee in 2016, he belted a career-high 21 homers.

“He just knows how to hit,” Holliday said. “I think he’s starting to come into his power a little bit more.”

Holliday

The 37-year-old brought 10 seasons with 20 or more home runs with him to The Bronx and now has 308 total blasts in his career.

“I have a passion for baseball and a passion for trying to get better, for trying to learn new things,” Holliday said.