Sat Sep 14 03:15:48 UTC 2024: ## Yankees’ Judge Breaks Slump with Grand Slam, Edges Red Sox 5-4

**NEW YORK (AP)** – Aaron Judge broke out of his career-worst homerless drought with a game-changing grand slam in the seventh inning, propelling the New York Yankees to a 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Friday.

The reigning AL MVP had gone 16 games and 75 at-bats without a long ball before launching a line drive into the lower left-field seats off reliever Cam Booser (2-3), putting the Yankees ahead for good.

The win extended the Yankees’ lead in the AL East to three games over Baltimore, who were no-hit for 8 2/3 innings by four Detroit Tigers pitchers in a 1-0 loss. It’s the biggest lead the Yankees have held since they were 3 1/2 games ahead before a June 15 loss in Boston, which sparked a 4-14 slump.

The Red Sox (74-74), meanwhile, fell 4 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the final AL Wild Card spot.

Mark Leiter Jr. (4-5) earned the win, pitching four outs in relief of starter Clarke Schmidt. Luke Weaver struck out five in two scoreless innings to record his second career save.

**Gleyber Torres** went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Yankees.

**Rafael Devers** was the lone bright spot for the Red Sox, going 1-for-3.

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