Coming off a massive 15-3 Saturday night win, the New York Yankees were dialed in on Sunday, taking a 4-0 lead against the Milwaukee Brewers early. Anthony Volpe homered on his birthday. It was beautiful. But that was before Marcus Stroman and the defense had a meltdown.
Stro ended up surrendering four earned runs on four hits and five walks in just four innings. He was not attacking hitters on one of the worst offensive teams in the league. Oswaldo Cabrera misplayed a grounder at third that somehow wasn't ruled an error. The infield defense wasn't the sharpest overall in what felt like a fateful fifth inning after Stroman survived the first four without giving up a run.
And of all people, former Yankee Jake Bauers tied the game 4-4 with a three-run blast to essentially end Stroman's day after the right-hander failed to record an out in the fifth. It was turning out to be "one of those days," much like Friday when Joey Ortiz somehow owned New York.
But then came the top of the sixth. Aaron Judge led off the frame with a walk. Next up? The red-hot Alex Verdugo, but he didn't exactly come through. Judge did.
Verdugo hit a double-play ball to second base and the Brewers were ready to take the two free outs. But when Judge slid into second base, he raised his arm in the air, which is a far more imposing action than you might think for someone who is 6-foot-7. Willy Adames' throw to first was blocked by Judge's hand, so the Brewers only got one out.
Hilarious Aaron Judge interference saves Yankees, confuses umps as wild rally ensues
Brewers manager Pat Murphy rightfully came out to argue the call, which more than likely should have been runner's interference on Judge, but the crew ruled that it was accidental. Little did everyone know, that saved out would be the reason the Yanks would score seven straight runs.
The next batter, Giancarlo Stanton, popped out, and that should've been the inning. But then it went walk, single, walk, single, wild pitch, walk, single, single to make the game 11-4, Yankees.
Gleyber Torres got it all started with a clutch two-out single with runners on first and second. He's been ice cold up until Saturday night, so it's encouraging to see his bat is waking up a bit, especially in big moments.
Jose Trevino continued his torrid pace with a two-run single. Soto notched an RBI single of his own, and it came all the way back to Judge, who delivered with a hit and an RBI as well -- a true full-circle moment in the same inning that saw Judge get booed when he stepped into the batter's box. He also homered in the first inning to get the Yanks on the board.
Ten minutes ago we were fretting about bullpen overuse, but Judge's gargantuan hand now has us wondering which position player is going to take the mound in the eighth or ninth.