Aaron Judge Sparks Yankees Comeback to Beat Jays 9-6/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Aaron Judge delivered a dominant, all-around performance to lead the Yankees to a crucial 9-6 win over the Blue Jays in Game 3 of the ALDS. Down by five early, New York stormed back with eight unanswered runs, including a jaw-dropping three-run homer by Judge. The victory forces Game 4 and keeps the Yankees’ postseason hopes alive.
Yankees vs Blue Jays ALDS Game 3 Quick Looks
- Judge goes 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs and scores 3 runs
- Yankees erase five-run deficit, win 9–6 at home
- Judge belts record-setting 3-run homer off 100-mph pitch
- New York bullpen throws 6 2/3 scoreless innings
- Yankees avoid sweep, force Game 4 in the Bronx
- Blue Jays lose for first time this season with 4+ run lead
- Judge now hitting .636 in the series with 5 RBIs
- Diving catch, baserunning, and plate discipline add to Judge’s night
- Yankees now 3–0 in 2025 postseason elimination games
- Fans chant “MVP” as Judge puts team on his back
Deep Look: Aaron Judge’s Epic Night Saves Yankees From Elimination Against Blue Jays
NEW YORK — When the New York Yankees needed a hero, Aaron Judge gave them something even better: a postseason performance for the ages.
Facing elimination in Game 3 of the AL Division Series, Judge powered a stunning comeback to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9–6 Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, keeping the Yankees’ playoff hopes alive and setting the stage for a pivotal Game 4 in the Bronx.
“Just an awesome, MVP-like performance,” manager Aaron Boone said. “A pretty incredible night for the captain.”
Judge was a force everywhere — at the plate, on the bases, and in the field. He finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs, three runs, and an intentional walk, adding a diving catch and smart baserunning in a complete, game-changing performance.
Down Early, But Not Done
Toronto jumped out to a 6–1 lead, silencing the home crowd early and putting the Yankees on the brink of a sweep. But New York erupted for eight unanswered runs, highlighted by Judge’s towering three-run homer in the fourth inning.
The comeback marked the largest in Yankees postseason history in an elimination game and their biggest since erasing a 6–0 deficit in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. sparked the momentum with a go-ahead solo shot in the fifth, and New York’s bullpen pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings to seal the comeback.
The Swing That Changed Everything
Judge’s homer — a three-run rocket off a 100-mph fastball from reliever Louis Varland — may go down as one of the biggest postseason swings in recent Yankees history.
Down 0-2 in the count, Judge turned on a fastball that was 1.2 feet inside, keeping it just fair off the left-field foul pole.
“That’s shades of Edgar Martínez right there,” Boone said. “It’s a pitch you don’t normally see anyone hit, let alone keep fair.”
Statcast confirmed it: No MLB player had ever homered on a pitch that fast and that far inside since pitch tracking began in 2008.
“I guess a couple ghosts helped keep that one fair,” Judge joked afterward. “It looked good to me.”
The blast was Judge’s 17th career postseason home run and second of this series. He’s now 7-for-11 (.636) with five RBIs and three walks against Toronto, part of an overall .500 average and 1.304 OPS in the 2025 playoffs.
More Than Just Power
Judge’s impact wasn’t limited to the batter’s box. In the third inning, he executed a savvy baserunning play, drawing out a rundown long enough for Cody Bellinger to advance to third — a key moment that led to a sacrifice fly and a second run that inning.
In the fifth, he made a highlight-reel diving catch with a runner on second, igniting chants of “MVP!” from the Yankee Stadium crowd of 47,399.
Then, in the sixth, Judge was intentionally walked with one out and no one on — a show of respect (or fear) by Toronto — and later scored on Ben Rice’s sacrifice fly.
“There’s times where you just don’t want him to swing,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.
Inside the Mind of a Captain
Before his fourth-inning homer, Judge sought out Giancarlo Stanton in the dugout for insight on Varland, who had previously struck out Stanton in a key spot.
“Big G saw him in Toronto,” Judge explained. “Any info like that helps you sharpen your game plan. I’d seen the video, but it’s different when you step into the box.”
That preparation paid off, as Judge connected with one of the hardest pitches he’s ever hit for a home run — 99.7 mph to be exact.
“I get yelled at for swinging at those out of the zone, now I’m getting praised,” Judge said with a smile.
Keeping the Dream Alive
With the victory, the Yankees are now 3–0 in elimination games this postseason and remain in contention for their first World Series title since 2009. For 33-year-old Judge, it’s all about chasing the one thing missing from his stellar resume.
“Tonight was special,” he said. “But there’s still more work to be done.”
New York will host Game 4 on Wednesday night, hoping to ride the momentum of Judge’s heroics and even the best-of-five series at two games apiece.
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