Intentional Walk Of Berríos And Judge

Aaron Judge experienced the Barry Bonds treatment on Saturday against the Blue Jays - Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports

BRONX, NY — José Berríos threw a sinker to Aaron Judge in the first inning at Yankee Stadium Saturday afternoon that went into the visitor’s bullpen an estimated 426 feet that scored Juan Soto. The Yankees would take a 2-1 lead and answer Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 22nd home run of the season off Carlos Rodón.

Judge of the Yankees and Guerrero with the Toronto Blue Jays, two of the hottest hitters in baseball since the All-Star break. The difference a Yankees team battling the Orioles for first place in the AL East and the Blue Jays rebuilding for next year.

Bérrios (Bayamon, Puerto Rico) the 30-year old right-hander has continued to throw the ball well, named the AL Pitcher of the Month in March/April and has thrown 7.0 innings in seven previous starts this year.

But Judge is that tough out and opposing pitchers try to pitch around him, his Major League leading 41st home run was the fourth he hit off Berríos this season. Judge on pace for a 59 home run season and two more Yankees home runs led them to a 8-3 win.

But things got interesting in the second inning when Barrios got the call to give Judge the free base with an intentional walk with the bases empty, a situation in baseball that is hardly an occurrence, and the first time this season with this rare game situation. Though Judge went through a similar situation last season against the Mariners.

Call this baseball. Also refer to this as strategy managers will use. Then again this is Aaron Judge who can hurt you and the Blue Jays out of playoff contention will not succumb to that adage of calling it a season. But this was an empty base intentional walk that happened within the first two innings and not seen in 50 years.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said it’s about being careful when pitching to Judge. He referred to Judge as being that special player that can hurt you in any inning or situation.

“He can flip the script of a game with one swing,” he said. “We talk about being careful with him and that’s what can lead to mistakes when you’re trying to be really fine.”

Though the intentional walk only kept Judge from continuing his hot streak of getting on base and hitting another home run with the Yankees leading 4-1. Judge has a 1.114 OPS, 103 RBI, and has hit six home runs in his last eight games

“Just how early it was in the game, it was still pretty close,” said Judge. “I guess with two outs there, I think they’re just looking at maybe getting out the next guy. Hopefully it doesn’t happen again. We’ll see.”

And the 40,218 who braved a humid and torrid day were not pleased. They booed as Judge walked to first base, rightfully so because they wanted to see the Yankees captain continue his torrid pace and hit another long shot out of the ballpark. This is not what baseball is supposed to be and fans know that.

Managers generally will go with their instincts, as Schneider certainly thought this was the proper strategy but this certainly got some attention as the ballgame progressed. The Yankees of course were more concerned about winning another game and keeping pace with the Orioles.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone refers to Judge as watching greatness adding more to why an opposing manager would issue an intentional bases empty walk. Regardless, also Boone is confident about his lineup that has rebounded after a June swoon that went into most of July. The Blue Jays stopped a Yankees five-game winning streak Friday night.

“I feel we are in a better spot to deal with these things,”Boone said, referring to his lineup that also saw Anthony Volpe and Trent Grisham hit home runs. “The length of our lineup has really improved over the last few weeks.”

Judge takes these moments as just another day at the office, yet he continues to amaze opposing pitchers at his ability and power that is displayed with the home run ball.

“Amazing,” said Berríos about Judge. “He’s like Vladdy (Guerrero) is for us right now. They are so hot. They’re so locked in at the plate. It’s fun to watch those types of hitters. It was a good day to watch both play today.”

And after talking with a longtime scout who sees Judge often he said, “It’s hard to pitch around Aaron Judge. Sooner or later you would expect to see what we did today.”

Said Guerrero about the walk through an interpreter “Of course, intentionally, walking him is the respect that he earned. He’s super hot right now and he earns that. In my case, I don’t want that. I want to hit. I don’t want intentional walks.”

Yeah the intentional walk is a strategy. But in the case of a bases empty one it’s probably one Aaron Judge and the Blue Jays will remember. Probably a walk we may not see in another 50 years.

Rich Mancuso is senior writer and contributor for Latinosports.com – X (Twitter): @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

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