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Aaron Judge struck out four, and yet the New York Yankees still managed to come away with a 7-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day on Wednesday.
The reigning back-to-back American League MVP has had a dismal start to the 2026 season. He finished the game 0 for 5. It was the first time Judge was hitless on Opening Day.
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New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) watches his bat between pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026. (Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images)
Fortunately, for the Bronx Bombers, Trent Grisham and Ryan McMahon had two RBIs each and Max Fried allowed just two hits while striking out four.
Opta Stats noted that the Yankees made history despite Judge’s tough game.
“The Yankees are the first team in MLB history to earn a shutout victory despite the reigning MVP striking out more than 4 times (in any game, Opening Day or not),” the data company wrote on X.
Judge struck out in the first against Logan Webb, made a third out in the second inning, struck out on a foul in the fourth and struck out looking in the sixth.
YANKEES LEGEND GIVES THOUGHTS ON LAST SEASON’S RETURNING TEAM, JUDGE AARON’S CLUTCH FACTOR
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees heads to the dugout after striking out during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
He hadn’t struck out four times in a game since a five-out game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 28, 2024.
“It kind of felt like everyone could get in on it tonight,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “One night we didn’t hit the ball out of the ballpark, just a lot of good hitters under pressure, I thought. Good night for us. I think we can beat you in a few different ways.”
Judge has three AL MVPs under his belt and was making something of a homecoming when he walked into Oracle Park. He grew up in Linden, Calif., and went to Fresno State before being drafted by the Yankees.
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees waits to hit during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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The Giants were competing to sign Judge two years ago when the brooding outfielder entered free agency. He ended up signing with the Yankees for a nine-year, $360 million contract, ultimately rejecting San Francisco.
