New York Yankees' Aaron Judge hit his 26th home run of the season, rising to the top of the Major League Baseball home run standings. It was a dramatic tying home run.

Judge started as the third right fielder on the road against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, U.S., on the 14th.

Judge went down after striking out swinging (98.2 mph four-seam fastball) with two outs in the first inning against Boston's starting pitcher, Garrett Croce.

In the fourth inning, he came up as the leadoff hitter and was struck out swinging on three pitches (97.1 mph four-seam fastball) by Croce.

After one out in the sixth inning, he once again struck out swinging against a 99 mph four-seam fastball. That marked his third consecutive strikeout.

The Yankees struggled against Croce's fast pitches exceeding 100 mph, failing to score a single run until the eighth inning. They were trailing 0-1.

Croce took the mound in the ninth inning as well, challenging for a shutout. He recorded the first out against Ben Rice with a ground ball to the second baseman.

After throwing 100 pitches, Croce faced Judge.

Judge fell behind with two strikes after a ball and a swing-and-miss, followed by a foul. He then took a ball, and he hit a foul against a 100.1 mph four-seam fastball. The sixth pitch, a 100.2 mph four-seam fastball, slightly drifted inside.

Full count. When Croce's 99.6 mph (160.3 km/h) four-seam fastball came back inside, Judge unleashed a lightning-like swing. The ball flew to the left, clearing the Green Monster at Fenway Park. It was a dramatic tying home run. Judge rounded the bases with a triumphant expression.

The exit velocity was 115.5 mph (185.9 km/h), the launch angle was 25 degrees, and the distance was 443 feet (135 m). It was his 26th home run of the season. He surpassed Seattle's Cal Raleigh (25 home runs) to become the single leader in home runs in Major League Baseball. He distanced himself by three home runs ahead of L.A. Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (23 home runs).

Croce, who allowed the tying run and lost the opportunity for a win, was replaced, and Aroldis Chapman took over as a relief pitcher. The two teams ended up tied 1-1 through the ninth inning, heading into extra innings.

[OSEN]