The New York Yankees have clinched a postseason spot for the 61st time in franchise history, securing their ninth playoff berth in 10 seasons after defeating the Minnesota Twins 8-3 on Monday. The victory was highlighted by Aaron Judge's three-run home run in the eighth inning, a crucial blow that capped a six-run rally for the Yankees.
This marked Judge's first home run since May 24. He had been struggling since returning from an 84-game absence due to a fractured rib, going 3 for 20 with 11 strikeouts. His 415-foot blast, his 18th of the season, came minutes before the Detroit Tigers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, officially sealing the Yankees' playoff contention.
The Yankees, now 87-63, have won six of their last seven games and are 24 games over .500, a season high. They trail the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays by 3 1/2 games.
Minnesota's Josh Bell hit a home run off Tim Hill (5-2), and Emmanuel Rodriguez contributed a two-run triple for the Twins. However, Minnesota has lost eight of its last 11 games and is fading from postseason contention. Jose Caballero hit a go-ahead homer in the third and a game-tying single in the eighth.
Ben Rice added a two-run bloop single, and after a Cody Bellinger infield single, Judge delivered his significant home run. Austin Wells hit a solo homer in the ninth for the Yankees. John Schreiber earned his second save by pitching 1 1/3 hitless innings.
Minnesota's Dean Kremer pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and striking out five in his second-longest start since joining the team. Yankees starter Will Warren gave up five hits and struck out six over 5 2-3 innings in his fourth consecutive strong outing, his third start.