The crowd came for the bobblehead, but they got the real thing. Aaron Judge, sporting a red-hot bat and an iron will, embraced his role as the Yankees’ superhero on a night that celebrated his larger-than-life presence. But even the most powerful slugger in pinstripes couldn’t will the New York Yankees to victory.
Before the gates even opened at Yankee Stadium, lines of fans curled around the block, eager to grab the limited-edition “Superman” giveaway. On the field, Judge did not disappoint: he crushed his 27th home run of the year, reached base in his first four plate appearances, and brought energy to a team in desperate need of it.
Yet despite Judge’s heroics, the Yankees fell 5-3 to the Baltimore Orioles, undone by a late go-ahead homer that eluded Judge’s glove by inches. “It’s moving in the right direction,” Judge said after the game, according to MLB.com. “All good teams go through little slumps… you’ve just got to keep trekking.”
The swing that woke up the Bronx
Judge’s third-inning homer provided more than just a brief lead—it offered a glimpse of the slugger returning to form. After a stretch where he went 3-for-27 with 16 strikeouts, the Yankees captain looked locked in, lifting a fastball from Tomoyuki Sugano into the seats.
According to manager Aaron Boone, the change was more mechanical than mental. “I thought he was better at finding the timing,” Boone said. “Sometimes it’s just a slight adjustment.” Judge, as usual, downplayed it: “I’ve been making adjustments since March.”
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The homer wasn’t just another stat for the books—it was Judge’s 48th career home run against Baltimore, the most by any player versus a single team since 2016. It came with his trademark balance of power, patience and presence.
Yankees’ bullpen cracks in the eighth
While Judge carried the offense, the bullpen couldn’t hold the line. Luke Weaver, freshly activated from the injured list, served up a go-ahead blast to Ramon Urias in the eighth—his sixth pitch of the night. Boone noted Weaver “wasn’t all that far off,” but the Orioles didn’t miss their opportunity.
Max Fried gave the Yankees a fighting chance, overcoming early command issues to pitch into the sixth. He even talked Boone into letting him stay in after a mound visit, stranding two runners and keeping the game tight. “I told him, ‘I’m confident I can get these guys,’” Fried said. But the loss marked the Yankees’ seventh defeat in their last eight games, and their second straight home stumble in a crucial NL East clash.
The man of the night still hasn’t seen his Bobblehead
Off the field, the spotlight remained on Judge—not just for his production, but for the cultural weight he carries. His Superman bobblehead giveaway sparked excitement across the Bronx, with 18,000 lucky fans receiving the collectible.
Asked if he’d seen one himself, Judge cracked a smile: “I haven’t seen it. I didn’t get one down here. I’ve got to make a phone call.”
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Even without the figurine in hand, the Yankees’ captain gave fans everything they hoped for. Now, with the team in a slump and the pressure rising, the question is whether Judge can continue to carry the load—cape or not.
