TORONTO – Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees tied the American League record for home runs in a season on Wednesday night, connecting for his 61st home run to tie Roger Maris.
Judge connected off Toronto pitcher Tim Mayzae in the seventh inning to tie the A.L. record, which was set nearly 61 years ago when Maris homered off Tracy Stallard on Oct. 1, 1961, at Yankee Stadium. Maris broke the major league record held by another Yankees star, Babe Ruth, who hit 60 homers in 1927.
The Yankees beat the Blue Jays 8-3 on Wednesday.
Maris’ major league record was topped in 1998 when Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs, and then Barry Bonds surpassed that number with 73 round-trippers in 2001. McGwire and Bonds were both National League players during their record seasons, but Maris had remained the A.L. leader.
Then here came the Judge.
Judge homered in Game No. 155 after a seven-day homer drought, ESPN reported. Judge, who was batting leadoff as a designated hitter, walked, popped out and grounded out before connecting in the seventh inning off the left-handed Mayze, The New York Times reported.
The two-run homer to left field traveled 394 feet, according to the newspaper. His smash against the left-handed Mayze in the top of the seventh inning capped a three-run rally for New York and gave the Yankees a 6-3 lead.
