Sun May 11 04:50:00 UTC 2025: **Yankees’ Judge Hits Two Home Runs in Sacramento Return, But A’s Secure Victory**
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, playing in his hometown area for the first time since college, launched two home runs in Saturday’s game against the Oakland A’s. Despite Judge’s impressive performance, the A’s emerged victorious, winning 11-7.
Judge, a Sacramento native, brought his major league-leading home run total to 14 with his two blasts. The crowd of 12,113 at the A’s temporary minor league home, a stadium known for its hitter-friendly environment, roared their approval, chanting “MVP! MVP!” Judge’s performance included a leadoff homer in the fourth and another in the sixth inning. This brings his career multi-home run game total to 41, placing him fourth in Yankees history.
A’s owner John Fisher, who expressed excitement last season about seeing players like Judge perform in the stadium, got his wish. The game featured a total of six home runs, including a game-changing three-run shot by Shea Langeliers for the A’s. Even Yankees pitcher Fernando Cruz was surprised by the power displayed, noting the ball’s unexpected distance. The increased home run rate at the stadium – currently averaging 2.75 per game – compared to the Oakland Coliseum reflects the ballpark’s offensive tendencies. Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the unique playing conditions, hinting at the potential for more home runs as the season progresses.
Despite the loss, Judge’s stellar performance, which also includes leading the majors in batting average (.396), on-base percentage (.486), and slugging percentage (.772), solidified his status as a top performer in the league. His return to Sacramento proved to be a memorable one, even if it didn’t result in a Yankees win.
First Piper 