His 404-foot 2-run shot flew to the second deck of left field in front of Twins release Trevor Megill and broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning.
With that, Judge continued his streak as the most valuable player – rivaling the Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani – and set a team record.
He equaled Alex Rodriguez’s record for most homers in a single season by a right-handed hitter in Yankees history, set by Rodriguez in 2007.
Judge’s 54th home run is his eighth in his last 13 games and continues his potentially historic season.
With 27 games remaining, Judge is on track to hit 65 homers, which would be the most in a season in Yankees history. Roger Maris’ 61 hit in 1961 is also the American League record.
If Judge can finish the season with 65 homers — which would require one every 2.5 games — it would be the fifth 65-homer season in MLB history.
Barry Bonds’ highest ever in a single season was in 2001 when he graduated at 73.
“All the individual accolades, awards and stats you get throughout the year are all based on how well you help the team. So if I’m not out there every day helping the team, the stats and all that stuff don’t show up.”
“Man, it just keeps getting more amazing at what he does. I mean it really does,” Boone said. “Will not be pitched too much and [is] just ready when it’s in. It’s going to be hard to put into words what he’s doing… Just a special season to be in.”
Judge’s day didn’t end there, however.
He was later pictured at Arthur Ashe Stadium to take part in some late night US Open action.
Richter watched his US compatriot Danielle Collins lose to sixth-seeded Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 3-6 2-6 in the fourth round.