The New York Yankees executed a huge, five-run comeback to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-6 and extend their season.
While there were many reasons why the Yankees won, the biggest was Aaron Judge. The two-time MVP hit a huge, three-run home run to tie the game at 6-6, which completely flipped the momentum of the game.
AARON JUDGE OFF THE FOUL POLE!
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2025
TIE GAME!!! #ALDS pic.twitter.com/rplPnEsRoH
It's still to be determined whether this game is a footnote or a springboard for the Yankees season, but in the moment it was certainly the biggest win of the year. Here are some of the most important stats to come out of this game.
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Inside the Yankees comeback
8
From the bottom of the third inning on, the Yankees scored eight unanswered runs to go from down five to up three. Not only did they take the lead, but the Yankees also had a cushion late in the game.
MORE: Where Yankees Game 3 comeback ranks all-time
1.2, 99.7
The home run that Judge hit was a 99.7 MPH fastball that was 1.2 feet off the plate inside. According to Sarah Langs, it's the furthest ball off the plate inside or outside he has hit for a home run, and the fastest pitch he has ever hit for a home run.
Aaron Judge’s home run came on a pitch 1.2 ft from the center of the plate inside
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 8, 2025
That’s the furthest inside OR outside pitch he’s homered off of in his career (reg+post)
Aaron Judge’s home run came on a 99.7 mph pitch
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 8, 2025
That’s the fastest pitch he’s homered off of in his career (reg+post)
Additionally, this is the first time in the pitch-tracking era that any hitter hit a home run on that kind of pitch.
Some Statcast on Aaron Judge's HR: It was off a 99.7 mph pitch that was 1.2 feet inside (vs. the center of the zone). It’s the first time in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008), regular season or postseason combined, that a hitter has homered off a 99-plus mph pitch that also was… pic.twitter.com/qZe45cEWAF
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) October 8, 2025
MORE: How Addison Barger's mistake led to Aaron Judge's game-tying home run in ALDS
6
This was Aaron Judge's sixth-career elimination game with a home run, tying David Ortiz for the most all time. For a player who has been criticized for his playoff performances, he has come through in the Yankees' most dire moments.
21
The Yankees bullpen, which has been their biggest weakness this year, got 6.1 scoreless innings, equaling 21 outs. Fernando Cruz, Camilo Doval, Tim Hill, Devin Williams and David Bednar all played huge roles in the win.
By comparison, the Blue Jays bullpen threw 20 outs but allowed six runs total.
3
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has now homered in three-straight games to open his 2025 postseason, as he remains the hottest hitter in baseball. Through three games, Guerrero has an OPS just under 2.000, eight hits and eight total RBIs.
ANOTHER HOMER FOR VLADDY! #ALDS pic.twitter.com/uZTzXVHZR7
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2025
39-1
According to Jeff Passan, that was the Blue Jays first loss all year in a game where they led and scored at least five runs. They were previously 39-0.