Pirates pitcher defends walking Yankees' Aaron Judge in blowout
Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed pitcher Eric Stout became temporary public enemy No. 1 among fans of the New York Yankees and other excited onlookers when he walked Yankees All-Star slugger Aaron Judge.
The walk came on four pitches in the bottom of the eighth inning in Wednesday's game as Judge remained one home run shy of tying the all-time American League single-season record of 61 homers set by club legend Roger Maris in 1961.
Stout wasn't all that close with any of his offerings as the visiting Buccos were trailing 11-2, and he heard from the Yankee Stadium faithful about his deliveries shortly after ball four was correctly called:
Stout defended his actions when speaking with reporters after what became a 14-2 blowout loss for Pittsburgh.
"The changeup’s been a good pitch for me this season," Stout said of his pitch of choice for the situation, according to Ethan Sears of the New York Post. "I think that was the game plan going into the at-bat. Regardless of nobody on, bases loaded, doesn’t really matter. I got [Anthony] Rizzo behind him as a lefty. With a base open, I’m very good versus lefties this year. That was more of the approach."
Stout also made it clear he had no interest in purposely serving up a fat batting-practice-style pitch over the middle just so Judge could reach Maris' mark before Thursday.
"I’m not gonna give in [on] 2-0, 3-0, throw him something, regardless of who it is, especially with a lefty on deck. So that was the approach," Stout added during his comments.
Meanwhile, Pirates manager Derek Shelton said he wasn't surprised to hear the boos and jeers from fans as Judge made his way to first base via a free pass.
"I’ve been to Yankee Stadium a lot of times. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody stay when the score’s like that, but you know, there was everybody in the ballpark," Shelton said.
Judge nevertheless had a solid night that included notching a pair of doubles. Per ESPN stats, the 30-year-old began Thursday leading the AL with 60 homers, 128 RBI, and a .317 batting average that could be good enough to earn Triple Crown honors when all is said and done.
He'll next attempt to reach home run No. 61 of the campaign Thursday night in the Bronx against the rival Boston Red Sox.
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