Aaron Judge will aim to do more than just draw walks against the Angels. On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Angels managed to contain Judge while the New York Yankees struggled to retire Zach Neto. As they prepare for the final game of a three-game series in New York on Thursday night, the Angels hope to continue holding off Judge, while the Yankees will look for ways to stop Neto. Both players played significant roles in Wednesday’s doubleheader split. Judge contributed with an RBI single and reached base four times in New York’s 5-2 victory in the first game, also drawing an intentional walk, his fifth in the past six games. “If Judge is on base? I’ll take that every time,” Yankees catcher Austin Wells commented after the game. “Of course, we want him to hit and drive the ball out of the park. But from the opposing team’s perspective, putting him on first and challenging the rest of us makes sense.”
In the nightcap, the Angels didn’t have to worry about pitching to Judge, as they secured an 8-2 win thanks to Zach Neto’s standout performance. Neto made history as the first opposing shortstop to drive in six runs at any iteration of Yankee Stadium, highlighted by his first career grand slam during a six-run second inning, along with a two-run double. “He must be a big-time player to do that in Yankee Stadium,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “With all the players that have played here, we needed everything he gave us tonight.” Neto added, “I think it’s an honor. Being able to do that is something I’ll remember.”
Since moving up to the second spot in the lineup on Saturday, Neto has gone 7-for-15 and is batting .342 (26-for-76) with five home runs and 20 RBIs over his last 24 games. He will face Nestor Cortes (5-9, 4.16 ERA) in his first at-bat on Thursday. Cortes is looking to secure back-to-back wins for the first time since mid-May, having ended a four-game losing streak on July 31 by allowing three runs on three hits over 5 1/3 innings in a 6-5 win against Philadelphia. Cortes has a 2-0 record with a 3.24 ERA in seven career appearances (three starts) against the Angels, with his most recent outing against them on May 28, when he gave up two runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings in a 4-3 loss for the Yankees.
Judge, who has reached base multiple times in 10 of his last 11 games and is hitting .431 (28-for-65) over his last 20 games, will face Tyler Anderson (8-10, 3.05 ERA) in his first at-bat. Anderson has struggled recently, going 0-2 with a 4.18 ERA in his last four starts since July 6. On Friday, he allowed three runs on eight hits over five innings in the Angels’ 5-1 loss to the Mets, marking the 18th time this season he has allowed three runs or fewer. In two career starts against the Yankees, Anderson has a 0-1 record with a 2.70 ERA, including a performance on May 29 when he allowed one run on four hits over five innings in a 2-1 loss at home.
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