Judge provides an assist despite slow start at plate
TORONTO — Since getting two hits in the Yankees’ Opening Day victory, Aaron Judge heads to The Bronx with one hit in his past 11 at-bats, part of the reason the Yankees dropped the last two games to the Blue Jays.
So Judge took particular pride in throwing out Russell Martin trying to score from second on Gift Ngoepe’s single to right in the second inning of Sunday’s 7-4 loss at Rogers Centre.
“You’ve got to do something when you’re not hitting,’’ Judge said with a laugh after the loss.
“He’s got a really good arm,” said Austin Romine, who handled the short hop and tagged Martin. “I love getting throws from Judge because there’s a lot of true backspin, and it makes it easier to catch.”
But Judge has shown more emotion on the field than normal the past two days. After the play to get Martin, TV cameras showed Judge apparently saying “run on me” and shaking his head.
He declined to repeat what he said, but it came a day after Judge yelled at himself after taking a called third strike in Saturday’s loss.
He admitted to being frustrated by his slow start at the plate.
“I just have to keep sticking with my approach and not try to do too much,” Judge said. “That’s the biggest thing right now. I’m trying to do too much.”
Aaron Boone said that while Judge is “a little in-between right now,” the manager is encouraged by some of what he has seen from him.
“We talked about it last week with Giancarlo [Stanton], it’s just getting on time,” Boone said. “With those two guys, when they get on time, obviously, they become real dangerous. Even when Judge is finding it a little bit right now, he’s still on base three times today. I feel like it’s a matter of time with him. I feel like he’s close.”
Judge managed to draw two walks before a single with two outs in the top of the ninth.
He also whiffed looking two more times Sunday.
“I feel good,” Judge said. “They’re just making great pitches. The biggest thing is I’ve got to stay patient and hunt those mistakes. If I get away from my approach, it doesn’t turn out too well. ... And 12 to 15 at-bats don’t mean much.”
Judge’s struggles, such as they are, have been magnified by the two straight losses in which the Yankee bullpen failed.
More offense from Judge likely would have helped.
“You can’t give up,” Judge said. “You keep battling, make some adjustments and get ready for [Monday].”
And he’s confident, as long as he manages to continue to draw walks, the Yankees will survive.
“That’s the biggest thing for me,” Judge said. “As long as I get on base, with the type of lineup we have and the guys hitting behind me, good things are gonna happen.”