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The big swing brought big results. The Yankees split their four-game weekend series in the Bronx, with Aaron Judge delivering the walk-off hits in both New York victories: Thursday night's RBI single capped a four-run 9th inning rally, while Sunday afternoon, his three-run homer ended a game where the Yanks rallied from three runs down and appeared in danger of being no-hit for the second straight day. It's almost seemed magical for Judge, enjoying his best year yet as free agency awaits this November.


While the Yankees still have baseball's best record, look who's moved into second place in their division. 

The Red Sox have outplayed everyone in baseball this month, going 19-4 in June. That enabled them to jump past the Blue Jays and Rays, and firm their place in the Wild Card chase. Sunday, Rafael Devers (above) had three hits, while JD Martinez drove in three as Boston completed a weekend sweep over the Cleveland Guardians.
A thought as their mid-week series begin: the Sox visit the Blue Jays in Toronto -- but two of their players, Jarren Duran and Tanner Houck remain unvaccinated and will have to miss the games. What will that do for team spirit -- especially after all the Yankee players had their jabs and were able to play during their recent trip to Rogers Center?

Shining the spotlight on one of the Yankees top prospects:
Oswald Peraza's bat is finally heating up. The highly touted infielder, who just turned 22, had his first two-home run game in AAA Sunday night, as Scranton Wilkes-Barre beat Toledo 6-2.  I'll bet these young fans who got his autograph before a recent game in Syracuse are almost as happy as Peraza, whose stock rose in 2021 when he belted 18 homers and hit .297 while climbing from A to Triple A ball. 

Onto Phillies present and past:
Kyle Schwarber continued his personal assault on June. Sunday, his three-run 8th inning homer gave the Phillies the lead against the Padres, en route to an 8-5 victory -- in their first full game without MVP candidate Bryce Harper.

Finally, it was 15 years ago today:
June 27th, 2007: Ryan Howard of the Phillies became the fastest player in major league history to reach 100 career home runs. Playing his 325th career game, his 5th inning blast -- off the Reds' Aaron Harang -- traveled 505 feet.. Ralph Kiner held the old mark at 385 games.


 

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