The New York Mets’ strategy against Aaron Judge on Tuesday was straightforward: avoid pitching to the hot-hitting slugger and force someone else to step up.
This plan worked flawlessly, leading to a 3-2 victory at Yankee Stadium and improving the Mets’ record to 3-0 against the Yankees this season. They now have a chance to sweep the season series on Wednesday.
The Mets walked Judge in each of his first four plate appearances, including one intentional walk, and each time, he was left stranded.
In his final at-bat, he struck out in the ninth inning. This marked the fourth instance in Judge’s career and the second time in 2024 that he has been walked four times in a game. Judge’s 79 walks this season are second in the majors, trailing only teammate Juan Soto’s 81.
Judge, who is hitting .309 with 35 home runs and a 1.114 OPS this season, acknowledged the Mets’ cautious approach.
“They were being careful, especially with what Soto’s doing in front of me and what we’ve been doing all year,” he said. “I think they’re just trying to be a little careful, and you just got to pass the baton to the next guy.”
On Tuesday, Judge handed off to first baseman J.D. Davis three times, but Davis couldn’t capitalize. He struck out to end the first and fifth innings and grounded into a double play to end the third.
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Davis was in the lineup to counter the left-handed Mets starter Jose Quintana, as manager Aaron Boone continues to adjust the lineup in search of production from players other than Soto and Judge. With Giancarlo Stanton still a few days away from returning from the injured list, Boone is looking for solutions.
“We just got to get the middle of our order a little more settled,” Boone said. “And hopefully that will come back to bite teams when they do it and force them to go after Aaron.”
The Mets opted to intentionally walk Judge with one out and first base open in the seventh inning, bringing up rookie pinch-hitter Ben Rice.
Rice put up a fight but ultimately flied out after an eight-pitch at-bat, and Anthony Volpe grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.
Despite the Mets’ strategy, Judge remained composed.
“It’s not really too frustrating,” he said. “I wouldn’t mind that day when it comes with a win. It’s part of it. It’s a team game. Even if I went 4-for-4 today, we still might not win.”
In the ninth inning, with left-hander Jake Diekman pitching for the save, the Mets finally challenged Judge after Soto drew a four-pitch walk.
Judge took a fastball down the middle to start the at-bat, fouled off a changeup, and eventually struck out looking at a fastball down in the zone. Moments later, Rice grounded out, leaving Soto stranded and sealing the Mets’ victory.
