Aaron Judge celebrated his 31st birthday with 3 hits and 3 RBI but also gave Yankees fans a scare in the Yankees (14-11) 12-6 win over the Twins Wednesday afternoon.
In the top of the second, Gleyber Torres doubled to lead off the inning and went to third on an error. Willie Calhoun’s infield single drove in Torres, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa got a bunt single. One out later, Oswaldo Cabrera walked to load the bases. Anthony Volpe singled in a run, then Judge hit a 3-run double, his second double of the game.
But then Judge was caught trying to steal third, and appeared to injure his right hand on a awkward slide.
Domingo German had a strange game. He went 6+ innings and struck out 8, giving up just 5 hits, but 3 of those hits were HR. German gave up six runs.
One of the homers came in the bottom of the second and cut the Yankees’ lead to 5-1.
The Yanks exploded for six runs in the top of the fourth. Kyle Higashioka led off the inning with a single, and Oswaldo Cabrera got a bunt single, with both runners moving up on an error on the play. Volpe doubled in two runs. We were holding our breath to see if Judge would hit or be PH for. Did he injure himself, and if so, how badly? Judge came to bat and walked (he would single later in the game). Anthony Rizzo ripped a 2-run double to make the score 9-1. One out later, Gleyber Torres homered (3) to make it 11-1.
German then gave up a 2-run HR in the bottom of the fourth that cut the lead to 11-3.
With two out in the bottom of the sixth, German hit a batter and then gave up a 2-run HR to Joey Gallo (why didn’t WE see Gallo do that more often?). 11-5.
A triple leading off the bottom of the seventh chased German, and the runner came in to score. 11-6.
The Yanks added a run in the top of the eighth. Volpe walked, and one out later, was singled to third by Rizzo. D.J. LeMahieu was robbed of a HR but got the SF to make it 12-6.
The Yanks now head to Texas.
Volpe 2 hits, 3 RBI
Judge 3 hits, 3 RBI and one heck of a scare.
Rizzo 2 hits, 2 RBI
Torres 2 hits, 2 RBI 2-run HR (3)
Calhoun 2 hits, RBI
German (W, 2-2) 6+ IP, 6 R, 5 H, 2 W, 8 K. 1 HBP. Gave up 3 HR. 5.54
Hamilton 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 2 K. 1.84
Holmes 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 3.72
The Sommer Frieze 
