Aaron Judge sent the Yankees to Cleveland in complete command of the ALCS.
The Yankees slugger found his stroke on Tuesday, driving home three runs — including hitting his first homer of the postseason — in a 6-3 win over the Guardians in Game 2 of the ALCS in The Bronx.
The Bombers now lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.
Judge’s first-inning pop-up was muffed by Cleveland shortstop Brayan Rocchio, allowing Gleyber Torres to score the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning.
A third-inning sac fly brought Anthony Rizzo across the plate in the third to make it a 3-0 lead.
Judge saved his best of the night for the seventh inning, when he sent reliever Hunter Gaddis’ fastball just outside the center field wall for a welcome two-run blast to bring Torres around for a 6-2 score.
The outfielder’s offensive outburst helped the Yankees withstand a middling outing from ace Gerrit Cole, who last just 4 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits with four walks and four strikeouts.
The series shifts to Cleveland, with the first of three potential games at Progressive Field on Thursday.