Aaron Judge Homers Twice as Yankees Defeat Red Sox 9-4 in Spring Training Classic

Aaron Judge looked every bit the reigning American League MVP Tuesday afternoon, launching two towering home runs to power the New York Yankees to a convincing 9-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox at George M. Steinbrenner Field in a spirited spring training renewal of baseball's greatest rivalry.

Judge's first blast came in the third inning, a 450-foot rocket off Red Sox starter Brayan Bello that cleared the right-field wall with room to spare. His second homer, an even more impressive 475-foot shot in the sixth inning, sent the capacity crowd into a frenzy and served notice that the 34-year-old slugger is ready to pick up where he left off after his historic 2025 season.

"It feels great to see the ball jumping off my bat like that," Judge said after the game. "I've been working hard this spring on my timing and approach, and days like today remind me why I love this game so much. The rivalry with Boston always brings out the best in everyone."

The Yankees captain finished the afternoon 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs, providing exactly the kind of production the team needs as they prepare for what they hope will be a championship season. Juan Soto, making his Yankees spring debut after signing a massive free-agent contract, added two RBIs with a pair of doubles that showcased his smooth left-handed swing.

Red Sox rookie sensation Marcelo Mayer provided the highlight for Boston, homering in his first at-bat against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. The 23-year-old shortstop, widely considered one of baseball's top prospects, looked comfortable in the box and showed no signs of being overwhelmed by the big-league atmosphere.

Cole worked four innings for New York, allowing two runs while striking out six batters in what manager Aaron Boone called "an encouraging outing." The right-hander's fastball sat in the mid-90s and his signature slider looked sharp as he continues building toward Opening Day.

With just three weeks remaining before the start of the regular season, both teams are using these spring games to finalize their rosters and build chemistry. For the Yankees, Judge's explosive performance provides early optimism that their championship window remains wide open heading into what promises to be another compelling season in the AL East.