Judge hits his 44th homer and Cole puts the Yankees past the Tigers 3-0

DETROIT (AP) — Aaron Judge hit his major league-leading 44th home run and Gerrit Cole struck out eight in six innings as the New York Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers on Friday night 3-0.

Oswald Peraza also went deep in his first big league game of the season for the Yankees, who improved to 4-0 against Detroit. New York, which started the day tied with Baltimore atop the AL East, won its third straight.

One game after hitting his 300th career home run, becoming by far the fastest player to reach the milestone, Judge hit his 301st in the eighth. His 431-foot drive over the first row of bushes over the center fence made it 3-0.

Top prospects Jace Jung and Trey Sweeney made their major league debuts for the Tigers at third base and shortstop, respectively – the first time Detroit has debuted two outfielders on the same day since Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell they began their career together on September 9, 1977. .

Cole (4-2) allowed four hits and issued two walks – both to Jung. Three relievers finished for New York, with Clay Holmes pitching the ninth to earn his 26th save.

The Yankees took a 1-0 lead on Alex Verdugo’s first sacrifice fly off Beau Brieske (1-3).

Peraza started the season on the injured list and was called up from the minors on Wednesday. He led off the fifth with a long home run over the Tigers bullpen. Gleyber Torres followed with a double, but Brant Hunter retired Juan Soto and Judge to keep it 2-0.

The Tigers had runners on second and third with two outs in the sixth, but Cole threw a third strike call over Jung.

Sweeney, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Jack Flaherty trade, got his first hit with an infield single in the seventh. Sweeney went to third when visiting Gold Glove shortstop Anthony Volpe gave up Jake Rogers’ two-out popup for an error, but Parker Meadows struck out to end the inning.

INSTRUCTOR’S ROOM

Yankees: C Jose Trevino returned to the lineup after missing 26 games with a strained left quadriceps. He walked in the second inning and stole second base – the fourth steal of his seven-year career. … Yankees called up LHP Tim Mayza – best known for allowing Judge’s 61st homer in 2022.

Tigers: Rookie 2B Colt Keith is day-to-day cramping. Zach McKinstry replaced him at second.

NEXT

The teams continue their three-game series Saturday at Comerica Park before moving to Williamsport, Pa., for Sunday’s Little League Classic. LHP Carlos Rodón (13-7, 4.18 ERA) will face Tigers rookie RHP Keider Montero (3-5, 5.76) on Saturday.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb