The Red Sox missed.
Aaron Judge did not.
Hours before Sunday’s game, Boston manager Alex Cora suggested his team had thrown at Judge a day prior with a fastball that went behind the slugger’s legs.
During the ensuing game, Judge blistered a 445-foot tank to center field that might have sent a message but definitely helped the Yankees win a game.
Judge’s 53rd homer of the season came with style — bouncing it off the batter’s eye in the third inning for a two-run shot that would be a stunning connection for just about any other hitter — and perhaps added motivation, even if Judge denied it.
According to the Yankees captain, who only dropped his bat a few steps before reaching first base, no extra inspiration was needed.
“We’re playing the Red Sox,” Judge said after the 5-2 win to close a 5-2 homestand. “This is a big rival, big games, big moments.”
The big moments Saturday went poorly for the Yankees.
Gerrit Cole issued a bases-empty intentional walk to Rafael Devers in the fourth inning that led to an implosion and later an explosion from the Red Sox manager.
Cora was angry Saturday because he believed Cole’s 0-1 cutter that drilled Devers in the first inning had intent.
The intentional walk that followed made it “loud and clear,” Cora said: Cole did not want to face Devers.
Before Sunday’s game, Cora said he believed the feud between the teams to be finished.
No fireworks ensued, possibly because a dud was launched Saturday.
The matter “was closed [Saturday] around the sixth inning,” Cora said. “We had our chance. Didn’t happen.”
In Saturday’s sixth inning, the first pitch Brayan Bello threw was a 97-mph sinker that Judge maneuvered around.
Judge later lined out to center field in the at-bat.
Cora said he spoke with Judge after the game and the conversation was “professional.”
Judge called it a “good convo,” while declining to reveal much else.
“You play this game for a while, things like that happen,” Judge said. “I think they’re just protecting their players. Something’s gotta happen. That’s the way this game gets policed.
“I think the biggest thing is just don’t miss when you do it.”
Pitchers and managers often publicly deny intent, even when intent is obvious.
Rarely does a manager do what Cora did in suggesting his pitcher took a “chance” at Judge.
“That’s not allowed. That’s for somebody else to deal with,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “We’re finished playing with them for now. So we’re on to Seattle.”
But not before reflecting on Judge’s well-timed bit of retaliation.
Kutter Crawford missed with an 0-1 fastball that Judge rocketed 121.1 mph off his bat, ricocheting from the batter’s eye to the netting above Monument Park.
“That ball was cleaned out,” Boone said.
Judge has blasted at least 53 homers through his club’s first 150 games for a second time.
The only other Yankees to do so at least once: Babe Ruth in 1921 and 1927 and Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle both in 1961.
“He’s different,” Tommy Kahnle said.
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