Aaron Judge chases home-run No. 61: Yankees slugger fails to match Roger Maris in loss vs. Blue Jays

Judge is 5 for 18 (.278) in six games since hitting his 60th home run on Sept. 20

Toronto Blue Jays play the New York Yankees
Steve Russell

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge will remain stuck at 60 home runs for the season for at least another night, having failed to tie Roger Maris' single-season records on Monday night in a 3-2 loss against the Toronto Blue Jays (box score). Maris, of course, homered 61 times in 1961, establishing the high marks for both the American League and the Yankees franchise.

Judge went 1 for 3 on Monday night with two walks, including an intentional free pass in the 10th inning that loaded the bases in a tied game. 

Judge is 5 for 18 (.278) with three doubles, eight walks, and eight strikeouts since hitting his 60th home run last Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Judge's homerless streak is now up to 25 plate appearances, which remains well shy of his longest drought this season (41 plate appearances in Aug.). 

Here is the AL's all-time single-season home-run rankings:

  1. Roger Maris, 1961 Yankees: 61
  2. Aaron Judge, 2022 Yankees: 60 and counting
  3. Babe Ruth, 1927 Yankees: 60
  4. Hank Greenberg, 1938 Tigers: 58
  5. Jimmie Foxx, 1932 Athletics: 58 

In addition to the AL's home-run record, Judge is also in pursuit of the Triple Crown. He remains well out in front in home runs and runs batted in, meaning the real question is whether or not he can sustain a lead in batting average. His performance on Monday kept him at a .314 average, putting him a hair ahead of Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, whose game was delayed by rain.

Judge will get another chance at launching his 61st home run of the season on Tuesday. The Yankees will play the Blue Jays in the second of their three-game set. It's worth noting that the Yankees, who can clinch the American League East with a victory, will then return home after Wednesday's series finale to close out their hosting duties this regular season with three games against the Baltimore Orioles. 

You can relive Monday night's game by reading our live commentary below.

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