BRONX, N.Y. — Aaron Judge lit the match and Giancarlo Stanton launched a molotov cocktail. When it was all said and done, history was made and the New York Yankees walked off the Pittsburgh Pirates, 9-8, with a classic ninth inning finish.
Decent 9th inning. LOL. pic.twitter.com/PjxnYINLd4
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 21, 2022
Initially, it looked like we would be talking about this as the Harrison Bader game. Bader had himself a solid Yankee debut, going 2-for-4, driving in three, and scoring a run. Yet, the Yankee bullpen seemingly coughed up the lead at every turn until Aroldis Chapman in the ninth.
That's big time, Bader. pic.twitter.com/60rpvOeNTW
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 21, 2022
In all, it set the stage for a dramatic home half of the ninth, with the Bronx Bombers trailing 8-4.
Leading off the frame, facing Wil Crowe, Judge cranked a 3-1 sinker deep into the leftfield stands to pump some life back into the Bronx faithful. Judge responded to the Stadium crowd by taking a curtain call for home run No. 60 of the season. Judge became the third American League player and Yankee to reach 60+ home runs in a season, joining Roger Maris and Babe Ruth. Oh, by the way, at night’s end, Judge also found himself in the lead for the AL triple crown.
As the inning continued, Anthony Rizzo doubled to center. Gleyber Torres coaxed a walk. Josh Donaldson singled to right to set the table for Stanton.
On a 2-2 changeup, Stanton swatted a missile grand slam to left for the walk-off winner!
