WASHINGTON — Aaron Judge’s bat has been in for a lot of praise over the past few months, but on Monday night the history-making slugger reminded people he’s a damn good defender when former Yankees player Andres Chaparro hit the ball into the wall at Nationals Park.
With a potential home run in the fourth frame, Judge made a diving catch at the top of the center wall. But the captain wasn’t satisfied with that, as Judge then started a relay run that doubled James Wood after Gleyber Torres caught DJ LeMahieu at first base.
This spectacular play, one of the Yankees’ better ones this season, ended the inning and secured the 2-0 lead.
The Yankees responded to Judge’s heroics with high-fives and animated expressions. Back in the dugout, Jazz Chisholm Jr. wrapped a towel around Judge as if it were a cape.
While Judge had a relatively quiet night at bat, hitting 1-for-4 with a walk and a single for his 1,000th career hit, his net gem stole the show as the Yankees defeated Washington, 5-2.
Judge, who twisted and turned to catch another deep ball in the second inning, has played Gold Glove-level defense in the past, though he never won the award. However, with Judge manning the center position this season to accommodate Juan Soto, advanced metrics have not rated his work well.
He entered Monday’s game with -5 Outs Above Average and -6 Defensive Runs Saved.
Whatever the case, Judge’s diving catch probably prevented at least one run before the Yankees scored a few more of their own.
The Bombers got on the scoreboard for the first time in the opening inning, when Gleyber Torres continued to shine with a leadoff home run in the one-hole against Nationals left-hander Mitchell Parker.
Overall, it’s been a rough year for the second baseman, but he’s been hitting well lately, especially since he returned to the Yankees’ leadoff duties on Aug. 16. Torres has batted first in every game since then; prior to Monday’s game, he had a .303/.439/.455 batting average in nine consecutive games.
“I’d love for that to be the case,” Boone said before the game when asked if Torres has shown enough to earn the first bat. Torres was the manager’s choice to bat left-handed, but if he always batted first, it would give Boone more left-right balance in his lineup.
“I love his batting ability,” the captain continued. “He definitely has what it takes. Hopefully it continues like this.”
Austin Wells and Jazz Chisholm Jr. also hit solo home runs in the sixth and eighth innings, respectively. The Yankees scored more runs in the fourth and sixth innings when DJ LeMahieu brought Anthony Volpe home on sacrifice flies.
Volpe doubled before the first. He had to be examined by trainers before the second because he hit his head in a collision while sliding headfirst into second base after a Nationals error. He stayed in the game, however, and stole third base before LeMahieu brought him home.
Volpe now has 24 stolen bases, matching the sophomore’s career high.
On the mound, Nestor Cortes held the Nationals to four hits and a solo home run by Juan Yepez in 6 2/3 innings. He also allowed two walks and struck out five on 91 pitches.
Yepez’s seventh-inning hit is the only run Cortes has allowed in his last three starts. The Nationals scored another run in the eighth inning when No. 9 hitter Jacob Young hit a one-yard home run to Mark Leiter Jr.
Judge, meanwhile, wasn’t the only outfielder to make a great catch, as Alex Verdugo caught a fly ball from Keibert Ruiz with a man on second base in the second inning before it slammed into the left outfield wall. He was also examined by trainers but stayed in the game.
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