The Baseball gods giveth and taketh away.
Aaron Judge showed off his defensive prowess and then had a home run taken away from him by an impressive defensive play by Julio Rodríguez.
The Yankees slugger looked as though he was about to extend the Americans’ lead in the World Baseball Classic semifinal against the Dominican Republic at loadDepot Park on Sunday night.
Judge hit a blast that was headed over the center field wall before Rodríguez leaped and snagged it for the second out of the top of the fifth.
Rodríguez let out a massive celebration before sending the ball back into the infield.
Earlier in the game, Judge reminded everyone why trying to run on him just isn’t a good idea.
The Yankees star showed off his arm when Fernando Tatis Jr attempted to reach third after Ketel Marte hit a line drive into right field in the bottom of the third inning.
Judge quickly scooped the ball and launched it in an attempt to throw out Tatis, firing the ball perfectly to Gunnar Henderson to get the third out of the inning.
It was the second time in the tournament that Judge had shown off his arm and made a similar play in the United States’ win over Mexico.
A ball hit to right field was played by Judge and led to him throwing out a runner at third to end the inning.
The United States had been trailing 1-0 after Junior Caminero had hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second.
The Americans turned the game around in the top of the fourth after Henderson hit a home run in the fist at-bat of the inning to tie things 1-1.
Roman Anthony gave the United States a 2-1 lead two batters later when he hit a solo home run of his own.
