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The Aaron Judge Show continued in The Bronx on Friday. 

And he had plenty of company as the Yankees continued to roll in front of a sellout crowd. 

The center fielder went deep for the sixth time in 11 games in the bottom of the first inning to set the tone for Friday’s 4-2 win over the brutal White Sox, as the Yankees won for the fifth straight time and improved to 11-2 over their last 13. 


  Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) solo home run during the first inning. Robert Sabo for NY Post Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) solo home run during the first inning. Robert Sabo for NY Post

It was the sixth time this season Judge has homered in the first inning.

He also walked three times and scored twice Friday. 

“I don’t think he’s got a base hit in the last five games,” Nestor Cortes said. “[It’s all] doubles and homers.”


  Aaron Judge has been on a tear for the Yankees. Robert Sabo for NY Post Aaron Judge has been on a tear for the Yankees. Robert Sabo for NY Post

And it seems like ancient history that Judge’s batting average was below the Mendoza Line and his OPS below .700. 

These days, he’s back to being as dominant a hitter as there is in the game. 

“I know people were asking questions about his start to the year,’’ Cortes said. “We just know it takes one swing of the bat for him to turn it around and that’s exactly what he’s done.” 

The Yankees added a run on Giancarlo Stanton’s leadoff homer in the sixth as Stanton’s hot streak also continued. 

It was all more than enough for Cortes, who allowed just an unearned run over seven innings in his best start in nearly a month. 


  Nestor Cortes tossed seven innings of one-run ball. Robert Sabo for NY Post Nestor Cortes tossed seven innings of one-run ball. Robert Sabo for NY Post

With the victory, the Yankees improved to 9-1 against the JV portion of their schedule, the AL Central. 

As is usually the case these days, both blasts from Judge and Stanton made their mark. 

Judge’s solo homer was a 433-shot blast that ended up in the second deck in left, measured at 114.4 mph. 

Judge’s 12th homer gave him seven hits in his previous eight at-bats. 


  Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) doubles during the fifth inning. Robert Sabo for NY Post Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) doubles during the fifth inning. Robert Sabo for NY Post

And as Cortes noted, all seven have been for extra-bases. 

“It’s unreal,’’ said Stanton, who also has four home runs in his last eight games. “You can’t get him out. You can’t get him to hit a single right now.” 

Judge’s lone miscue came in center field, with an ill-advised diving attempt on a Tommy Pham liner to open the eighth, which went for a double. 

Stanton’s home run, his 10th on the season, went 417 feet and clocked in at 116.2 mph. 

The victory came as the Yankees opened a 10-game homestand. 

After sweeping the Twins in Minnesota, the Yankees faced the last-place White Sox — although Chicago entered having won six of its last eight and 11-8 since a mind-bogglingly bad 3-22 start to the season. 

They looked more like the historically dreadful team Friday than the recently-improved version. 


  Yankees third base Oswaldo Cabrera (95) tags out Chicago White Sox Corey Jules (30) in a fielder’s choice. Robert Sabo for NY Post Yankees third base Oswaldo Cabrera (95) tags out Chicago White Sox Corey Jules (30) in a fielder’s choice. Robert Sabo for NY Post

The White Sox had a chance to go ahead in the fourth after Corey Julks’ one-out double.

But Julks foolishly took off for third on a routine comebacker to Cortes by Danny Mendick and was thrown out easily. 

And Zach Remillard managed to get picked off second base for the second out in the fifth. 

Cortes was excellent and efficient. 


  New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton blasts an RBI double during the fourth inning when the New York Yankees played the Chicago White Sox. Robert Sabo for NY Post New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton blasts an RBI double during the fourth inning when the New York Yankees played the Chicago White Sox. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Ian Hamilton entered in the eighth and allowed the double to Pham and then a second RBI single to Andrew Vaughn to cut the Yankees’ lead to 4-2. 

A pinch-hit double by Gavin Sheets sent Vaughn to third and forced Caleb Ferguson into the game. 

Fortunately for the Yankees, Andrew Benintendi, who has the worst WAR in the majors among qualified hitters according to Fangraphs, was up next and the former Yankee whiffed before Ferguson got Julks to line out to right.

Clay Holmes then continued his dominance with a scoreless ninth for his 13th save. 

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