Yankees’ Aaron Judge 1st in majors to 40 home runs

By JAKE SEINER
AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge became the first player in the majors with 40 home runs this season with a two-run drive for the New York Yankees against the Kansas City Royals. The 6-foot-7 Judge robbed a home run from MJ Melendez to begin the game, then hit an estimated 449-foot homer in the third inning for a 3-0 lead. It was his second homer in three at-bats after he hit a game-ending drive in the ninth inning of a 1-0 win against Kansas City on Thursday night. The four-time All-Star is on pace for 64 home runs in his final season under New York;s control. The club record is 61, set by Roger Maris in 1961.