While not nearly the softest hit of his career, there is something unique about being sawed off inside and still getting the hit. What makes this hit special is that two innings earlier the Yankees captain had nearly the same hit, a 75-mph blooper to right field. You can feel the disdain in the announcer's voice for what he has just witnessed.
Facing Yankee legend Darren O'Day, Judge nubs this ball off the end of the bat. Low exit velocity hits are bound to get weird, and this one falls into that category. The first base bag becomes his best friend, as a sure-out turns into a line drive single (in the record books).
Nothing overly complicated here, as a full-swing soft grounder to third with the defense back, was always meant to make a list like this. Judge's hustle earns him the hit on this play as he is able to beat out the throw to first.
Back when the shift was king, Judge took advantage by hitting it to a vacated area. His now-teammate Marcus Stroman did his job.
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