The New York Yankees’ bats have been silenced this week (and also for most of the season), with Braves pitching shutting them out in back-to-back games and the Bronx Bombers not even mustering an extra-base hit in either game.
One at-bat by Yankees star Aaron Judge in Wednesday night’s game was particularly emblematic of the team’s struggles.
Judge, one of the few bright spots in a slumping Yankees lineup, was struck out by Braves right-hander Charlie Morton. All three were knuckle curves that positively baffled the Yankees slugger, with one even making Judge drop to one knee.
Here’s a look at Judge’s brutal at-bat.
Charlie Morton Dismantling Judge with Knuckle Curves. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/EgIZ0g4qyv
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 17, 2023
It was one of three strikeouts on the night for Judge and one of 13 by the Yankees. The loss dropped the Yankees below .500 at the latest point in the season since 1995, yet another low point in what has been a largely disastrous season in the Bronx. Still, it was an impressive night for Morton, who at 39 years old became the oldest pitcher to have a 10+ strikeout game against the Yankees since Nolan Ryan in 1992, per CBS Sports.
Fans had plenty to say about Morton’s filthy stuff and Judge’s rough attempt.
Made that man fall to his knees https://t.co/w8aSyR7DaM
— Blackest in the Room (@WholesomeBlkMan) August 17, 2023
One of the prettiest pitches in MLB. https://t.co/GEpkepeKYp
— Frank Sennett (@SennettReport) August 17, 2023
That first pitch borders on a felony. I wouldn’t be able to hit that with a barn door. https://t.co/N7IGolGFC1
— Crawford Rogers (@Cz_Rog) August 17, 2023
Was put on this planet to make Yankee hitters look like little leaguers https://t.co/2gf2yYgMEP
— Astros SZN (@AstrosSZN) August 17, 2023
ankle breakers! https://t.co/pwl2vhXgce
— Ñevermoar (@EqualMystery) August 17, 2023
nothing like Charlie curveballs https://t.co/PN6voyWHOX
— davis (@daviswave) August 17, 2023
