Judge hits 500th XBH as Yanks beat D-backs

In a thrilling contest at Yankee Stadium, Aaron Judge propelled the New York Yankees to a 9-7 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Judge made headlines by hitting a three-run homer in the first inning, marking his 500th career extra-base hit in just his 999th game. This milestone places him as the third-fastest player in Yankees history to achieve this feat, following legends Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio.

Judge's remarkable performance didn't end there; he also added an RBI single in the fourth inning, concluding his first homestand of the season with an impressive tally of five home runs and 15 RBIs. His ability to deliver early in games has been a defining characteristic this season, with three of his five homers coming in the first inning. Since the start of the 2024 season, Judge has hit 21 of his 63 home runs in the opening frame.

Teammates also made significant contributions, with Trent Grisham recording three hits, including a two-run homer and an RBI single. Jazz Chisholm Jr. chipped in with a two-run shot of his own, further bolstering the Yankees' offensive display. Starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco earned his first win of the season, allowing three runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings, striking out five batters.

The Diamondbacks fought back, highlighted by a grand slam from Geraldo Perdomo in the seventh inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Alek Thomas also contributed with key hits, but the Yankees' bullpen managed to maintain the lead, with Luke Weaver securing a four-out save. This victory not only prevented a series sweep but also improved the Yankees' season record to 4-2, showcasing their offensive prowess with a total of 53 runs and 22 home runs in their first six games. The Yankees continue to demonstrate their potential as a formidable team in the early season.