Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees, fresh off their first loss in over two weeks, immediately turned their attention to the future.
The Yankees ended their nearly 60-year-old winning streak with 13 games on Saturday. Frankie Montas pitched seven complete innings, and the Oakland Athletics won 3-2.
Judge homered for two runs in the ninth inning. However, that was all New York did against Montas or the A’s bullpen.
“A loss is a loss.” Judge stated that it was time to start a new streak. “We didn’t accomplish the task, so it’s time to start over. (The streak) demonstrated what we are capable of. This team can do a lot of amazing things.
Judge has scored six homers in just 15 games. His power surge allowed the Yankees to improve their playoff position and put pressure upon AL East-leading Tampa Bay.
Matt Chapman scored for the A’s. They had lost six consecutive games and 10 of 12, before handing the Yankees their first loss since Aug. 12, in Chicago, against the White Sox.
In the ninth inning, the Yankees trailed by 3-0. Anthony Rizzo reached on an RBI bloop with one out. Judge then followed up with his 29th homer against Sergio Romo.
Romo managed to get Giancarlo Ston out of his hiding place and Joey Gallo out to ground for his first save since 2020.
Montas (10-9), was a crisp pitcher all afternoon. He allowed only two hits. For his first win since July 29, he struck out six batters and walked one.
Bob Melvin, A’s manager, stated that “Against that lineup and win-streak going, and the way that they’re going,” he said. “(Montas had an edge right from the beginning. It was a much-needed outing. Wonderful, perhaps to the extent that it was as enjoyable as any outing he has had throughout the year.
This Yankees string was their best since September 1961, when they had a 13-game winning streak. It was fueled by Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle. They had a 15-game run in 1960, and their record in 1947 is 19-game wins.
After Judge’s two out double in the first, Montas retired fifteen straight and then fanned Stanton the second. Montas scored a crucial 3-5-3 double play, after Judge singled in seventh. He clapped furiously after the play.
Montas stated, “It feels great to give high-fives once again.” It felt like everyone did their part and did our bit to win. That mentality must be carried into tomorrow to keep the wheels turning.
With his 10th win, Montas set a new career record.
Aaron Boone, Yankees manager, said that “he filled up the zone” and was in the lead for most of the game. He was on the offensive. He kept us at bay. He was a great slider, splitter, and fastball player. He was a strike-thrower and has the ability to get ahead, which made it difficult for us to play him.
Andrew Chafin retired three batters, before Romo pitched to the ninth.
Nelson Cortes Jr. was tagged by the A’s (2-2) and scored two runs in the second. The Yankees starter, on balk, had attempted to pickoff Tony Kemp’s RBI single with two outs.
The Yankees left-hander was still fuming nearly three hours after the call.
Cortes stated, “At first, I didn’t understand what I did.” “I tend to hang up and try and read the runner and other stuff. It was quite surprising that the third base umpire gave the call. It cost us one run. We’d be tied in ninth inning.”
Chapman scored his 21st run in the fourth.
Cortes pitched on seven days rest and allowed three runs as well as four hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked three.
BUSY DAY AT PLATE UMP
Tony Randazzo, the home plate umpire, had an active afternoon. Randazzo and Cortes had a heated exchange after the balk call against Cortes. Randazzo was hit in the facemask in the third inning by a Montas pitch that seemed to have snuck under catcher Yan Gomes. After replay confirmed that Melvin had been struck in the face by a pitch from Montas, Randazzo was able to eject Melvin.
TRAINER’S ROHROOM
Athletics: Elvis Andrus, INF, was resting after injuring his left hand while performing a check-swing during Friday’s ninth inning loss. Melvin described it as a “stinger injury” that occurred when Andrus attempted to stop his swing. Melvin stated that Andrus will likely be back in the club tomorrow. LHP Cole Irvin (hip discomfort), threw a bullpen session. He is still scheduled to start in Detroit on Tuesday. Chris Bassitt, the injured ace, is determined to pitch again this season four days after undergoing surgery to fix his broken cheekbone. Bassitt stated that the doctors had made a mistake by telling him that he would be fine in a few weeks. “I said, ‘Allright, we’re rocking.’ If everything goes as planned, I’d like to be back before the season ends. I’m hoping so.”
UP NEXT
In the series finale Sunday, the Yankees’ LHP Jordan Montgomery (5-5 with 3.69 ERA), faces the A’s. Montgomery has allowed only one run in four of five previous starts. Oakland RHP Paul Blackburn (0-1 and 4.09) is making his third start since being called from Triple-A Sacramento. Blackburn hasn’t won since June 29, 2018,
