Aaron Judge homers 1 pitch after Joe Boyle is called for a balk as Yanks top A's 7
NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer in the first inning after Oakland starting pitcher Joe Boyle was called for a balk on the previous pitch and the New York Yankees beat the Athletics 7-3 on Wednesday night.
Anthony Rizzo and Juan Soto also homered as the Yankees won for the fifth time in seven games and improved to 10-1 in their last 11 in the Bronx against Oakland.
It was the first time Judge, Rizzo and Soto homered in the same game this season.
Judge appeared to take a called third strike and was headed back to the dugout, but third base umpire John Tumpane charged Boyle (1-4) with a balk.
“It was a quick pitch,” Judge said. “I kind of didn’t know what was going on, but it was more subtle waving, ‘Go back, go back’. Just, rules are rules.”
Added Yankees manager Aaron Boone: “I didn’t even realize Judge was walking off because I saw the balk right away and I saw the call right away. So yeah, it worked out.”