Aaron Judge hit his first home run since returning from a rib fracture, helping the New York Yankees secure their 61st postseason appearance in franchise history and their ninth in the last 10 years.
Judge, who returned last week after missing more than three months, hit a three-run home run off AJ Minter early in the eighth inning. The blast was part of a six-run inning that gave the Yankees a 7-2 lead.
Before the home run, the Yankees captain was 3-for-20 with 11 strikeouts since his return.
New York entered the night four games behind American League East leader Tampa Bay, which had clinched a postseason spot on Friday.
The Yankees are seeking their first World Series title since 2009.
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Manager Aaron Boone said the team had worked hard for the opportunity to return to the postseason. This marks the Yankees’ third consecutive postseason appearance and the eighth time in Boone’s nine seasons as manager that New York has reached the playoffs.
The Yankees have also dealt with a significant number of injuries this season, with 18 players having been placed on the injured list. Judge himself missed 84 games because of a stress fracture in his right rib.
