Judge hits 30th HR, breaks DiMaggio’s mark for Yanks rookies

Judge also joined Oakland slugger Mark McGwire as the only big league rookies to hit 30 home runs before the All-Star break. McGwire had 33 at the break in 1987.

“I wish all 30 were game-winners, but it really doesn’t mean nothing,” Judge said.

Leading off the fifth inning, Judge connected against rookie left-hander Josh Hader and sent a 432-foot drive to centre field, giving the Yankees a 4-2 lead and surpassing Joe D.

The ball struck the dark restaurant windows above Monument Park and caromed onto protective netting.

“It’s quite an honour,” Judge said. “It’s been a fun first half so far, just to be in this position with my teammates around me, always putting me in the right spot and just helping me do my best and helping me succeed.”

Judge was all smiles in the dugout as he high-fived fellow Yankees. After the game, he was asked when he will have a chance to sit down and reflect on his astounding first half.

“After my career is over, to be honest,” he said. “I’ve got it in my notes: I look at it every day — .179, what I hit last year. It’s just a reminder that this game will humble you quick, so I just keep taking it one day at a time. I don’t do too much reflecting right now.”

Milwaukee rallied to win behind two homers and seven RBIs from another rookie, Jesus Aguilar, who hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the seventh inning. He matched a franchise record for RBIs in one game and became the first Brewers rookie to have seven.

New York has dropped three straight and 17 of 23.

“It’s tough answering questions like this after a loss,” Judge said. “It just makes it a little tough.”

INJURY UPDATES

Yankees DH Matt Holliday (viral infection) is feeling better and is scheduled to be the DH in a pair of minor league rehab games over the next couple of days. He said the plan is for him to come off the DL next weekend in Boston, during the team’s first series after the All-Star break. Holliday took batting practice Friday against ex-Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte . “It was fun,” Holliday said. “He didn’t throw that soft when I played against him. I wish he had.” … All-Star 2B Starlin Castro (strained right hamstring) took batting practice on the field and also is slated to play a minor league rehab game or two before an anticipated return from the DL next weekend in Boston. Castro was replaced on the AL All-Star team by ex-Yankees 2B Robinson Cano of the Seattle Mariners.

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More AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Mike Fitzpatrick, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Judge hits 30th HR, breaks DiMaggio’s mark for Yanks rookies

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