Judge's 16th consecutive home run silence, worst slump in his career...NYY 2-1 BOS
Sep 13, 2024
|
Judge bowed his head to one hit from four times at bat in a home game against the AL East rival Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on the 13th (Korea time).
Judge, who played third center field, pushed Boston starter Criswell's first-pitch 89.3 miles sinker in the bottom of the first inning, but he was withdrawn on a fly to right field. The ball speed was 99.9 miles and the flying distance was 354 feet, but right fielder Willier Abreu jumped in front of the fence and caught it. Yankees fans, who expected a home run, shouted, but they were 2 to 3 meters short of the fence.
He was also a flyer in his second at-bat after two outs in the third inning with a 1-0 lead. Criswell hit a sweeper in the middle of the 81.5-mile first pitch, but it was thrown out by a fly ball to center field. Valsak flew at 26 degrees, 99.9 miles, and 381 feet of distance, but ran behind center fielder Sedane Raphael and caught on the warning track.
In the fifth inning, when the score was tied at 1-1, he hit a double play and poured cold water on the flow. After one out, Juan Soto walked and created a chance. But Judge touched the first pitch again this time. Criswell's 83.6-mile changeup was pulled by third baseman Rafael Devers when he fell and connected it to a double play that led to second baseman to first baseman. It was a hard hit with a batting speed of 104.7 miles, but it was blocked by Devers' good defense.
After two outs in the seventh inning, when the 1-1 balance continued, he got on base with a heavy hit. He hit a 94.3-mile cutter on the second pitch of opposing right-hander Justin Slaten to create a hit that fell in front of center field with a line drive. He couldn't advance further due to the failure of the follow-up.
|
|
Judge hit his 50th and 51st home runs of the season in a series of home games against the Colorado Rockies on the 26th of last month, showing off his peak slugging power. Judge's expected number of home runs at the time was 63. He was about to break his AL season-high 62 home runs set two years ago. However, the cannon stopped operating after that. The estimated number of home runs now is 56.
The longest no-homer period in his career continues. He failed to add a home run in 16 consecutive games until that day. Judge spent 15 consecutive home runs between August 18 to September 3, 2017, and July 24 to September 28, 2018 (listed as injured in the middle). However, in 2017, he was selected as the AL Rookie of the Year by hitting 15 home runs in 25 games and marking 52 home runs.
This year, however, there is no sign of reviving the pace. He batted .207 (12 hits in 58 at-bats), scored four RBIs, scored six runs, walked 13 and struck out 21 in 16 home runs, and had only three doubles during this period. The sense of hitting itself is not as usual.
The batting average of 0.333 until the game against Colorado fell to 0.319 (165 hits in 517 at-bats) and the OPS of 1.202 fell to 1.136. The two leagues are still ranked first in home runs, RBIs (126), on-base percentage (0.453), slugging percentage (0.683), OPS, wRC+ (211), slugging (85), and Ruta (353), but the gap with the pursuers has narrowed significantly.
In particular, he is losing votes little by little to Kansas City Royals Bobby Wit Jr. in the AL MVP race, which was flowing into a solo system. The upper junior ranks first in batting average (0.333), hits (195), and runs (120) in both leagues, while the fWAR competes with Judge for first place.
The Yankees won 2-1 in the bottom of the 10th inning due to Soto's walk-off hit at second base with no outs. The Yankees have 15 games left. If Judge fails to turn around the current pace, voting reporters from the BBWAA (National Baseball Journalists Association) could turn their minds in large numbers.
jhno@sportschosun.com
