Judge, Higashioka HRS power streaking Yankees past Rays

NEW YORK — The Yankees sense a special season, even with exactly 100 games remaining before a playoff run they hope will result in their first World Series title in 13 years.

They set a record for most consecutive wins in the new Yankee Stadium, stretching their streak to 13 with a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night. Aaron Judge hit his major league-leading 25th home run and No. 9 batter Kyle Higashioka followed an intentional walk with a three-run drive that built a four-run lead.

“The fans,” Judge said, “they’re loud, they’re on their feet all game, from the very first pitch they’re there and then the top of the ninth they were screaming.”

Nestor Cortes (6-2) outpitched Shane Mcclanahan (7-3) in a matchup of stellar starters with sub-2.00 ERAS, and Clay Holmes matched Mariano Rivera’s team record of 28 consecutive scoreless appearances while shrinking his ERA to 0.29.

The major league-leading Yankees have won six in a row and 13 of 14 overall. New York’s 46-16 record is its best after 62 games since 1998 and its home winning streak is its longest since 13 straight at the old ballpark from June 2 to July 1, 1973.

“The energy at Yankee Stadium is always good, but it does feel like with the start we’ve gotten off to, there’s been a lot of energetic, special nights already,” manager Aaron Boone said.

The game was interrupted for nearly 17 minutes in the top of the eighth in a dispute over a pitching change after Randy Arozarena was hit by Miguel Castro’s pitch with the Yankees leading 4-1. Pitching coach Matt Blake went to the mound while a Rays trainer attended to Arozarena. Ji-man Choi pinch hit for Isaac Paredes, and Boone came out to bring in lefthander Lucas Luetge.

Crew chief Phil Cuzzi said he consulted with the replay room at the commissioner’s office to make sure Blake went to the mound before Choi was signaled in — only one trip per batter is allowed.

“That was brutal. I feel like that can’t happen,” Higashioka said. “There’s got to be somebody that knows what to do.”

Run-scoring singles by Choi and René Pinto cut the gap to one run. Luetge retired Brett Phillips on an inning-ending flyout, and Holmes remained perfect in 11 save chances, getting two outs on grounders around a strikeout.

Boone said he will use Holmes in high-leverage situations when Aroldis Chapman returns from the injured list.