Judge hits a pair of home runs as Yankees beat Oakland 12-5

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, June 30, 2025, p. a31

Los Angeles, New York Yankees star Aaron Judge hit two home runs in a 12-5 win over the Oakland Athletics, giving him his 30th home run of the season.

Judge , the current American League MVP, is second in that category behind fellow American Cal Raleigh, who has 32 home runs for the Seattle Mariners.

In front of 42,000 fans, Judge blasted home runs in the fourth and seventh innings at Yankee Stadium, driving in a total of four runs. Bahamian Jazz Chisholm Jr. also drove in four runs with a home run and two hits . The Bronx Bombers turned the page on the unusual shutout they received from Oakland (7-0) on Saturday afternoon.

Sometimes you're going to get hit, sometimes things aren't going to go your way. You just have to go out the next day and get to work , Judge emphasized. The Yankees, last year's World Series runner-up, hold the AL East lead with 48 wins and 35 losses.

In the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-1 on the road, fueled by a two-run home run by Puerto Rican Kike Hernández, which neutralized the home team's initial run.

Japanese Shohei Ohtani went hitless in his four at-bats this time, as did Mookie Betts. Cuban Andy Pagés, a fellow All-Star finalist, contributed two hits and two runs for the reigning champions.

The day also saw Washington Nationals slugger James Wood become the first player since Barry Bonds to be intentionally walked four times in a game. Wood's performance was key in the Nationals' 7-4 extra-inning victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal also excelled yesterday, striking out 13 Minnesota Twins batters over seven innings, allowing only one hit . Led by the reigning Cy Young Award winner, the Tigers defeated the Twins 3-0.