Yankees secure series victory over Mariners thanks to Aaron Judge's game-winning home run.
Rewritten Article:
Aaron Judge's Unstoppable Power:
Afternoon games don't typically start with such a bang—unless you're talking about Julio Rodriguez's leaping catch at the wall or Aaron Judge's earth-shattering home runs. That's exactly what happened in the game between the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.
Judge's final crack in their 3-2 victory on Wednesday left Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena in awe, with neither moving an inch. It was another stark reminder that Judge's prowess is a force to be reckoned with.
According to Rodriguez, it's like watching Judge do what he does "on the PlayStation." He admits, "It's just the truth. You have to acknowledge the fact that he's doing so good."
Few were able to match Judge's performance during this series. He saved the day with his 15th home run of the season, breaking a 2-2 tie in the eighth inning and securing the Yankees' series win.
The home run may not have glided majestically through the air, but its impact was anything but subtle. The line drive barely seemed to arc as it scorched its way to the back of the Mariners bullpen, 444 feet away. Hitting the ball at nearly 89 mph, Judge's bat sent it flying at 117.7 mph—the hardest-hit homer at T-Mobile Park since MLB Statcast began tracking exit velocities in 2015.
Rodriguez himself was left in awe by the power behind the hit, describing it as "one of the hardest balls [he's] seen hit."
The game took a turn for the Mariners in the seventh inning, with Paul Goldschmidt connecting for a pinch-hit homer that led to a demoralizing defeat for Seattle. This unfortunate homestand ended with the Mariners going 1-5 in their six games, scoring more than three runs only once, and struggling with strikeouts, walks, and fewer hits than they had in the previous month.
Their batting woes left the pitching staff with a tough challenge: maintaining almost perfect performances to secure a victory.
Despite the pressure, rookie pitcher Luis Castillo more than held his own. For most of the game, he held the Yankees scoreless, giving up some loud, hard contact but little actual damage. And despite some tough swings, Castillo managed to strike out 12 batters in just the first three innings.
Castillo's performance showed the fruits of his labor with the pitching coach. "All the merit goes to the work the pitching coach and I did since the last start," Castillo remarked. "And I think based off that work we were able to get the outing that we did today."
Sadly, the perfect game Castillo was building crumbled in the span of two pitches in the sixth inning. With two outs and only a one-run lead, Anthony Volpe and Jasson Dominguez hit consecutive doubles, cutting the New York deficit to just one run.
The scuffling Mariners offense had opportunities throughout the game, with some hard-hit balls that didn't manage to fall for hits. "We had opportunities today with guys on base, and we hit some balls hard and didn't have a lot to show for it," manager Dan Wilson lamented. "That's what you're looking for, and today just weren't able to get them to fall."
Just when you thought the tide was turning in the Mariners' favor, Judge made sure to remind everyone who's really in charge. Now, the Mariners must regroup for their upcoming 10-game road trip—one that comes with three-fifths of their starting rotation on the injured list after Bryce Miller's placement on the injured list before Wednesday's game.
Though the road ahead looks daunting, Wilson remains optimistic. "We feel pretty good each time we go to battle with this group in the clubhouse," he said. "Whoever we have on the mound, we're excited. We think we've got a good chance to win. So not concerned about it. We'll be ready to play."
Trivia: Did you know that Shohei Ohtani's longest home run at T-Mobile Park in 2025 traveled 464 feet, just 17 feet shorter than Judge's 2023 record?
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The marvelous home run by Aaron Judge secured the New York Yankees' series win against the Seattle Mariners, leaving Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena in awe. In the same city, the Seattle Kraken, a distinct sports entity, are also making their mark. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks, known for their prowess on the football field, are currently engaged in team discussions to restructure Duane Brown's contract, saving $12 million in cap space, as reported by NFL.com. Baseball fans, on the other hand, are keeping a close eye on the MLB, where the Mariners are grappling with injuries that could impact their pitching rotation for the remainder of the season, as detailed by Sportscasting.
