Judge plays a role in Yanks' romp in more ways than one

MILWAUKEE -- It would take something unusual to bump one of Aaron Judge’s long homers into a secondary note, especially on a day when Anthony Rizzo rounded the bases for his 300th career home run. But the Yankees captain’s controversial slide into second base had plenty of people talking on Sunday afternoon.

Judge deflected a throw with his outstretched sliding glove, breaking up a potential double play and helping to spark a seven-run sixth inning in the Yankees’ 15-5 victory over the Brewers at American Family Field.

"That's never happened before in my life,” Judge said. “I've been sliding like that for years.”

In that sixth inning, Alex Verdugo appeared to have hit into a twin killing as Judge slid into second base with his left hand raised high. Willy Adames, the Milwaukee shortstop, rifled a throw that clipped Judge’s hand and skittered away as Verdugo reached safely.

Though Brewers manager Pat Murphy briefly argued with the huddled umpires, interference was not called. Crew chief Andy Fletcher later said that the umpires erred, saying an off-field video review showed that Judge’s raised hand “wasn’t a natural part of his slide.”

But because that particular play is not considered reviewable, the teams played on.

“We did everything we could to get together and get it right,” Fletcher said. “But after looking at it, it appears that it should’ve been called interference.”

Murphy said that he does not believe Judge wanted to get hit by the ball, “but I think he was trying to purposely obstruct. It’s my opinion. I don’t know what his intent was. He seems like a wonderful man, but very competitive also. So there might’ve been a chance.”

After Giancarlo Stanton popped out on the ensuing at-bat, the Yanks staged a furious two-out rally, sending 11 men to the plate in the frame. Gleyber Torres grounded a tiebreaking RBI hit to center field, Jose Trevino collected a two-run single and Juan Soto also knocked in a run.

Judge returned to the plate in that same inning and heard boos from the crowd of 35,295, then capped the big frame with a two-run single. He finished the day 3-for-4 and is 8-for-23 (.348) with three homers and seven RBIs in his past six games.

“He’s getting some more good swings off,” manager Aaron Boone said.

Reflecting on the sixth-inning play, Judge said he was initially concerned that Adames’ throw had broken his finger, noting that the impact “shocked” him.

"You can look back at any picture you want of me sliding into second base; that's always happened,” Judge said. “I really don't know. I feel like there was plenty of time [for Adames] to go around. I'm just doing my job sliding into the base."

Said Adames: “He’s like seven feet tall. He’s huge. I feel like with his hands up, he's taller than me -- even when he's sliding to second base. So it's a tough space for me to throw the ball.”

One night after posting a season-high 15 runs, the Yankees continued to slug as Judge hit a first-inning homer -- his third in the past five games, a Statcast-projected 441-foot rocket off Tobias Myers.

Anthony Volpe celebrated his 23rd birthday with a three-run blast, staking Marcus Stroman to a four-run lead.

Struggling with his command, Stroman avoided damage until the fifth inning, when he could not retire a batter. Adames dented Stroman for a run-scoring double and Jake Bauers tied the game with a three-run homer.

“I just feel like I didn’t repeat my mechanics well,” Stroman said. “It’s definitely something to work on.”

Rizzo concluded scoring in the contest by connecting for his 300th homer, a two-run shot in the eighth inning that wrapped a 4-for-4 performance. Because the ball landed in the Milwaukee bullpen, Rizzo was able to retrieve the keepsake easily.

There are now 12 active players in the Majors to have reached the milestone, with Rizzo joining teammate Giancarlo Stanton, plus Nolan Arenado, Freddie Freeman, Paul Goldschmidt, Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, J.D. Martinez, Carlos Santana, Mike Trout, Joey Votto and Andrew McCutchen.

“It’s amazing. It’s awesome,” Rizzo said. “Milestones like this, you reflect back and take time to appreciate how hard it is and how much fun it’s been along the way. It’s a great feeling, and it comes after a good two days offensively as a team to bust out. All in all, it’s a good day and it’s definitely something I’ll remember.”