Judge hits grand slam for 41st HR, Yankees rally past Royals

Aaron Judge became the first big leaguer with 40 homers this season, smashed a grand slam for No. 41 and robbed a home run in right field as the New York Yankees rallied to beat the Kansas City Royals 11-5 Friday night at Yankee Stadium.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa lined a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning as New York completed its major league-leading 29th comeback victory.

A free agent at the end of the season, Judge is on pace for 66 home runs, which would top Roger Maris’ club record of 61 in 1961. Judge, Maris and Babe Ruth in 1928 are the only Yankees with at least 40 homers by the end of July, per MLB.com.

Judge was lavished with “MVP!” chants throughout the night, none louder than after his slam in the eighth cemented yet another Yankees rally. He also had a single and finished with six RBIs.

Brewers 4, Red Sox 1: At Boston, Christian Yelich drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the seventh inning, Brandon Woodruff struck out nine and the Milwaukee Brewers returned to Fenway Park for the first time in eight years.

Andrew McCutchen had a run-scoring fielder’s choice and Tyrone Taylor added a sacrifice fly in the ninth. The Brewers improved to 6-1 since the All-Star break and won in their first game at Fenway Park since completing a three-game interleague sweep in April 2014.

At Miami, Starling Marte homered, tripled and drove in three runs, Brandon Nimmo broke

Mets 6, Marlins 4:

an eighth-inning tie with a two-run shot and New York overcame two early deficits.

Nimmo finished with three RBIs from the leadoff spot and Marte was a double short of the cycle for the NL East leaders, who won their fourth straight and maintained a threegame lead over secondplace Atlanta.

Sea Dogs 7, Yard Goats 6: At Hartford, Rehabbing Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes won for the second consecutive night in relief and Ceddanne Rafaela had four hits, including a homer to lead Portland to the Eastern League Northeast Division win at Dunkin’ Donuts Park.

Aaron Schunk had two hits and two RBIs for the Yard Goats, while Michael Baird (3-2) took loss, allowing all seven runs on eight hits in 5 ⅓ innings.