Judge's 50th Home Run Powers Yankees
Aaron Judge's monstrous rookie season became a record-setting campaign on Monday afternoon, as the slugger broke Mark McGwire's rookie record with his 49th and 50th home runs in the New York Yankees' 11-3 rout of the Kansas City Royals. Judge's first long ball was a two-run home run off of Jakub Junis that gave his team a 3-0 lead in the third inning and tied McGwire's mark of 49 that was set in 1987. He would then add another big fly off of Trevor Cahill in the seventh inning to set the rookie record. The win was the 16th in the past 22 games for the Yankees, who now sit four games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East, and hold the top Wild Card spot in the American League. The good news for them is that their rookie sensation is finding his groove again after struggling out of the All-Star break. After winning the Home Run Derby and putting up 30 home runs in the first half, Judge hit .179 after the break through August 31st, a slump that included 67 strikeouts in 44 games. The month of September is when he got going again, as he has hit 13 home runs with 26 RBI, including consecutive multi-home run games, since September 1st. Greg Bird added a two run shot in Monday's win, as the Yankees get set to host the Tampa Bay Rays beginning on Tuesday. The Royals will return home to host the Detroit Tigers.
Blue Jays Snap Red Sox's Win Streak
The Toronto Blue Jays helped out the New York Yankees on Monday night, as they put an end to the Boston Red Sox's six-game win streak with a 6-4 win at Fenway Park. Josh Donaldson went deep and drove in three and helped Toronto jump ahead with a four-run second inning. The loss keeps Boston's magic number to clinch the American League East at three. They lead the Yankees by four with six games left in the regular season. It was also a tough night in the injury department for them, as they lost Eduardo Nunez and Mookie Betts during the game. Nunez re-aggravated a right knee injury, while Betts left with pain in his left wrist. Both players are listed as day-to-day. Drew Pomeranz struggled in a rare loss for the AL East leaders, as he had his shortest outing of the season by lasting just two innings and giving up five runs on seven hits. Ryan Goins also went deep for the Jays, while Brett Anderson got the win after allowing three runs over five innings. The Red Sox will now root for the Tampa Bay Rays in the Bronx, while their series continues with Toronto on Tuesday night.
Cowboys Spoil Cardinals' Home Opener
After an embarrassing loss at the hands of the Denver Broncos last week, the Dallas Cowboys came back under fire on Monday Night Football for the Arizona Cardinals' home opener. They were able to play the role of spoilers in the desert, as Ezekiel Elliott scored his first touchdown of the season in a 28-17 victory. Dak Prescott threw for two touchdowns and ran for one more, as he threw just 18 times on the night, completing 13 passes for 183 yards. Elliott ran the ball 22 times for 80 yards one week after he was accused of giving up in a 42-17 loss in Denver. He had just eight yards on nine carries that day. Meanwhile, Prescott showed his game on the ground with a 10-yard run in the first half, which ended with him flipping head over heels into the end zone. The Cardinals suffered their second loss in the first three games despite Larry Fitzgerald's big game. The future Hall of Fame receiver caught a career-high-tying 13 passes for 149 yards. He also passed Marvin Harrison for eighth on the all-time list for receiving yards. Carson Palmer rolled in the first half to keep things close at home by throwing for 145 yards by halftime. He finished with 325 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked six times due to his struggling offensive line. DeMarcus Lawrence took advantage of that for the Cowboys by tying a career-high with three sacks. Dallas returns home next week to host the Los Angeles Rams, while the Cardinals remain home for a matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.
Aaron Judge's monstrous rookie season became a record-setting campaign on Monday afternoon, as the slugger broke Mark McGwire's rookie record with his 49th and 50th home runs in the New York Yankees' 11-3 rout of the Kansas City Royals. Judge's first long ball was a two-run home run off of Jakub Junis that gave his team a 3-0 lead in the third inning and tied McGwire's mark of 49 that was set in 1987. He would then add another big fly off of Trevor Cahill in the seventh inning to set the rookie record. The win was the 16th in the past 22 games for the Yankees, who now sit four games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East, and hold the top Wild Card spot in the American League. The good news for them is that their rookie sensation is finding his groove again after struggling out of the All-Star break. After winning the Home Run Derby and putting up 30 home runs in the first half, Judge hit .179 after the break through August 31st, a slump that included 67 strikeouts in 44 games. The month of September is when he got going again, as he has hit 13 home runs with 26 RBI, including consecutive multi-home run games, since September 1st. Greg Bird added a two run shot in Monday's win, as the Yankees get set to host the Tampa Bay Rays beginning on Tuesday. The Royals will return home to host the Detroit Tigers.
Blue Jays Snap Red Sox's Win Streak
The Toronto Blue Jays helped out the New York Yankees on Monday night, as they put an end to the Boston Red Sox's six-game win streak with a 6-4 win at Fenway Park. Josh Donaldson went deep and drove in three and helped Toronto jump ahead with a four-run second inning. The loss keeps Boston's magic number to clinch the American League East at three. They lead the Yankees by four with six games left in the regular season. It was also a tough night in the injury department for them, as they lost Eduardo Nunez and Mookie Betts during the game. Nunez re-aggravated a right knee injury, while Betts left with pain in his left wrist. Both players are listed as day-to-day. Drew Pomeranz struggled in a rare loss for the AL East leaders, as he had his shortest outing of the season by lasting just two innings and giving up five runs on seven hits. Ryan Goins also went deep for the Jays, while Brett Anderson got the win after allowing three runs over five innings. The Red Sox will now root for the Tampa Bay Rays in the Bronx, while their series continues with Toronto on Tuesday night.
Cowboys Spoil Cardinals' Home Opener
After an embarrassing loss at the hands of the Denver Broncos last week, the Dallas Cowboys came back under fire on Monday Night Football for the Arizona Cardinals' home opener. They were able to play the role of spoilers in the desert, as Ezekiel Elliott scored his first touchdown of the season in a 28-17 victory. Dak Prescott threw for two touchdowns and ran for one more, as he threw just 18 times on the night, completing 13 passes for 183 yards. Elliott ran the ball 22 times for 80 yards one week after he was accused of giving up in a 42-17 loss in Denver. He had just eight yards on nine carries that day. Meanwhile, Prescott showed his game on the ground with a 10-yard run in the first half, which ended with him flipping head over heels into the end zone. The Cardinals suffered their second loss in the first three games despite Larry Fitzgerald's big game. The future Hall of Fame receiver caught a career-high-tying 13 passes for 149 yards. He also passed Marvin Harrison for eighth on the all-time list for receiving yards. Carson Palmer rolled in the first half to keep things close at home by throwing for 145 yards by halftime. He finished with 325 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked six times due to his struggling offensive line. DeMarcus Lawrence took advantage of that for the Cowboys by tying a career-high with three sacks. Dallas returns home next week to host the Los Angeles Rams, while the Cardinals remain home for a matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.
