Judge’s MLB-leading 15th homer powers Yankees past Mariners 3-2

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SEATTLE (AP) — Aaron Judge hit a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning as the Yankees beat the Mariners 3-2 on Wednesday.

The Yankees trailed for most of the contest thanks to a couple strong plays from Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez. The Mariners’ center fielder robbed Trent Grisham of a leadoff home run and then drove in a pair of runs in the third inning.

Seattle starting pitcher Luis Castillo allowed one run on six hits over six innings. But the Yankees evened the score at two apiece in the seventh inning when Paul Goldschmidt delivered a pinch-hit, game-tying home run.

The stage was then set for Judge in the following inning, and MLB’s batting average and home run leader delivered. Judge got a slider from Carlos Vargas (1-3) and pounced.

Reliever Ian Hamilton (1-0) notched his first victory of the year and closer Luke Weaver earned his fourth save of the season.

The Mariners had a chance to draw back even in the bottom of the eighth after Judge's solo shot. Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena were aboard for Dylan Moore with one out. But Moore feebly hit the first pitch he saw from reliever Fernando Cruz for a double play, which ended the Mariners’ last real offensive threat.

Judge has reached base multiple times in 33 of the Yankees’ 43 games this season, leading all MLB hitters.

Both the Yankees and Mariners are off Thursday. Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (4-3, 3.29 ERA) starts Friday against the Mets. Mariners right-hander Logan Evans (1-1, 6.60) gets the ball Friday to begin a three-game set against the San Diego Padres.

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