By Harshit | October 8, 2025 | New York | 2:15 AM EDT
Yankees Pull Off Stunning Comeback
New York — There are few words that fully capture Aaron Judge’s dominance, but on Tuesday night, one comes closest: clutch.
Judge led the New York Yankees to a 9-6 comeback win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of the American League Division Series (ALDS), narrowing the best-of-five series to 2-1. The rally was powered by Judge’s explosive hitting, a resilient bullpen, and some questionable Toronto defensive plays. Despite being outscored 23-8 in the first two games, Yankees manager Aaron Boone stuck with his lineup, a decision that proved pivotal.
Judge also contributed in the field with two outstanding defensive plays, preventing Toronto runners from advancing and keeping his team within striking distance.
The Pivotal Moment
The turning point came in the fourth inning. Trailing by five runs, Judge crushed a 0-2 fastball from reliever Louis Varland over the left-field foul pole for a three-run home run, tying the game at six. The swing followed an error by Toronto third baseman Addison Barger and a subsequent walk, providing the perfect setup for Judge’s game-changing hit.
Boone praised Judge’s performance: “It was the best-player-in-the-game type performance. When your backs are against the wall in a Game 3 situation, this is exactly what you hope for. That swing against Varland, who’s been dominant down the stretch, was special.”
Teammates echoed Boone’s admiration, highlighting Judge’s leadership both on and off the field. “He’s the real deal, and as beloved a player as I’ve ever been around,” Boone added.
Judge’s Postseason and Regular Season Excellence
Judge capped another impressive regular season with 54 home runs, 114 RBIs, and led the majors in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. His ALDS performance continues to impress, hitting .500 with a .578 on-base rate, including 7-for-11 with five RBIs and three walks in the series so far.
“Tonight was special, but there’s still work to be done,” Judge said after the game. “Hopefully we have more moments like this in the postseason. We’ve got another big game tomorrow, and maybe we can do something special then.”
Blue Jays Respond
Toronto manager John Schneider acknowledged Judge’s impact but emphasized adjustments to contain him moving forward. “Give him credit, that was a ridiculous swing. There are times you just don’t want him to swing, but today it didn’t work out,” Schneider said.
Despite Toronto’s challenges, Judge’s preparation at the plate was meticulous. He reviewed Varland’s pitches with Giancarlo Stanton before stepping into the box. “Big G saw him in Toronto. I hadn’t seen Louis since he was with the Twins,” Judge said. “Watching video is one thing, but stepping into the box and seeing him live made all the difference.”
Yankees’ Bullpen Seals the Victory
The Yankees’ bullpen held Toronto to three hits and no runs over the final 6⅔ innings, allowing New York to turn a near-certain loss into a historic comeback. Judge’s combination of offensive firepower and defensive excellence made him the central figure in the team’s resurgence.
Series Outlook
With the Yankees alive and the series shifting back to New York for Game 4, Judge’s heroics could continue to define this postseason. His ability to perform under pressure reminds fans and opponents alike why he remains one of the game’s most feared and respected players.
As Boone summarized: “When your team needs it most, Aaron Judge shows up. That’s why he’s special.”
