The Red Sox missed.
Aaron Judge didn’t.
Hours before Sunday’s game, Boston manager Alex Cora suggested his team had thrown at Judge a day prior with a fastball that went behind the slugger’s legs.
Throughout the ensuing game, Judge blistered a 445-foot tank to center field that may need sent a message but definitely helped the Yankees win a game.
Judge’s 53rd homer of the season got here with style — bouncing it off the batter’s eye within the third inning for a two-run shot that will be a shocking connection for almost another hitter — and maybe added motivation, even when Judge denied it.
Based on the Yankees captain, who only dropped his bat just a few steps before reaching first base, no extra inspiration was needed.
“We’re playing the Red Sox,” Judge said after the 5-2 win to shut a 5-2 homestand. “This can be a big rival, big games, big moments.”
The large moments Saturday went poorly for the Yankees.
Gerrit Cole issued a bases-empty intentional walk to Rafael Devers within the fourth inning that led to an implosion and later an explosion from the Red Sox manager.
Cora was offended Saturday because he believed Cole’s 0-1 cutter that drilled Devers in the primary inning had intent.
The intentional walk that followed made it “loud and clear,” Cora said: Cole didn’t need to face Devers.
Before Sunday’s game, Cora said he believed the feud between the teams to be finished.
No fireworks ensued, possibly because a dud was launched Saturday.
The matter “was closed [Saturday] across the sixth inning,” Cora said. “We had our probability. Didn’t occur.”
In Saturday’s sixth inning, the primary pitch Brayan Bello threw was a 97-mph sinker that Judge maneuvered around.
Judge later lined out to center field within the at-bat.
Cora said he spoke with Judge after the sport and the conversation was “skilled.”
Judge called it a “good convo,” while declining to disclose much else.
“You play this game for some time, things like that occur,” Judge said. “I feel they’re just protecting their players. Something’s gotta occur. That’s the way in which this game gets policed.
“I feel the largest thing is just don’t miss if you do it.”
Pitchers and managers often publicly deny intent, even when intent is apparent.
Rarely does a manager do what Cora did in suggesting his pitcher took a “probability” at Judge.
“That’s not allowed. That’s for anyone else to take care of,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “We’re finished fiddling with them for now. So we’re on to Seattle.”
But not before reflecting on Judge’s well-timed little bit of retaliation.
Kutter Crawford missed with an 0-1 fastball that Judge rocketed 121.1 mph off his bat, ricocheting from the batter’s eye to the netting above Monument Park.
“That ball was cleaned out,” Boone said.
Judge has blasted no less than 53 homers through his club’s first 150 games for a second time.
The one other Yankees to accomplish that no less than once: Babe Ruth in 1921 and 1927 and Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle each in 1961.
“He’s different,” Tommy Kahnle said.
