HOUSTON — In a disastrous season in which nearly every Yankee has taken a step back, Aaron Judge has not relented from what continues to be a historic pace.
Despite playing for what has become a long stretch with a torn ligament in his right big toe — and despite playing in games that are now rendered meaningless because of the white flag hovering over the club — Judge is doing it again.
The Yankees captain blasted home run No. 30 in his 81st game of the season — that’s a 60-homer pace — in what was a historic long ball during the Yankees’ 6-2 win over the Astros on Friday night.
Judge got a first-pitch, middle-of-the-plate slider from Justin Verlander in the fifth inning and put an engine on it.
The 426-foot blast caromed off the train that resides in left-center of Minute Maid Park for his 250th career dinger.
In terms of games played, Judge (810) is the fastest player in major league history to that milestone, besting Ryan Howard (855).
“I really don’t think about it,” said Judge, who did acknowledge the impressive company. “When you see the guys that are on the list, especially Ryan Howard, who was one of the greatest power hitters … it’s pretty cool to be on that list.”
The homer also tied him with Graig Nettles for 10th place on the Yankees’ all-time ledger.
“Not surprised,” Giancarlo Stanton said of No. 250. “It’s just incredible what he’s been able to do. He’ll be the fastest to 300 and 350 and continue on.”
Judge has been undeniably hobbled since returning from the toe injury sustained in early June at Dodger Stadium. But if his gait has affected his bat, it has not affected it much: In the 32 games since he returned to the lineup on July 28, Judge has blasted 11 home runs and posted a .910 OPS.
Judge continues to play in games that no longer matter, the out-of-contention Yankees looking to the future notably with the debut of Jasson Dominguez. “The Martian” rocketed a home run in his first career at-bat, just as Judge had done seven years ago. Stanton and DJ LeMahieu added homers of their own.
“In what’s been a long, trying season,” manager Aaron Boone said, “that’s one of those you enjoy a little bit.”