New York Yankees star Aaron Judge, who has displayed MVP-level performance during the early part of the MLB season, encountered significant difficulties during the recent weekend series against the Boston Red Sox. Over the three games at Fenway Park, Judge managed only one hit in 12 at-bats, striking out at least three times in each contest—an unfortunate first in his career.

Following the June 15 loss that completed the series sweep by Boston, Judge addressed his ongoing struggles and pinpointed a lack of plate discipline as a major factor.

Despite maintaining a batting average near .400 throughout much of the season, Judge admitted he became impatient at the plate and swung at pitches outside the strike zone while attempting to make impactful plays.

“You’ve got to swing at strikes,’’ Judge said, via The Associated Press.

“It usually helps any hitter when you swing at strikes. Definitely some pitches off the edge or off the edge in, you know, taking some hacks just trying to make something happen.”

Team Offense Falters as Red Sox Pitching Dominates

Judge was not alone in struggling during the series, as the Yankees were limited to only four runs across all three games, tying the fewest runs scored by New York in a three-game Fenway matchup. Boston’s pitching staff executed their game plan meticulously, effectively reducing opportunities for the Yankees’ powerful lineup.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora recognized the challenge of containing a hitter of Judge’s caliber, explaining how Boston’s pitchers concentrated on precise fastball locations to induce swings and misses.

“Throughout the years we’ve been aggressive with him,”

Cora remarked.

“Sometimes he gets us, sometimes we do a good job with that. It’s always fun to compete against the best, and, to me, he’s the best in the business right now.”

Judge Reflects on Trying Too Hard at the Plate

Prior to facing Boston, Judge had shown strong discipline throughout the season, but the recent series marked his first four consecutive games without drawing a walk, the longest streak of that kind so far. Judge admitted this stretch was influenced by his heightened aggression during at-bats, as he pursued hits rather than waiting for favorable pitches to reach the plate.

“You take some hacks trying to make something happen instead of taking your walk if they’re gonna give it to you,”

Judge said, according to the New York Post.

Despite the difficulties, Judge contributed a crucial moment in the opener of the series, hitting a ninth-inning solo home run that tied the game and forced extra innings. However, New York eventually fell short in the extended play, setting a somber tone for the remainder of the series.

“They pitched him tough,”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented.

“He had a massive hit to force extra innings the first night. That’s baseball. It’s why guys don’t hit .450 with 900 homers. You’re gonna have a weekend where they execute and they get you. … Hitting is hard. It’s hard to be perfect.”

Final Moments Highlight Ongoing Execution Battles

Judge’s final appearance in the series came in the eighth inning on Sunday, when his at-bat ended with a double play against Boston pitcher Garrett Whitlock, sealing another Red Sox victory.

Whitlock praised Judge’s talent after the game, acknowledging the special nature of competing against him while noting the importance of successful execution in rare moments.

“He’s one of the greatest hitters in the world,”

Whitlock said.

“It’s special to watch him play and everything. We tried to execute and had some execution this weekend.”

Implications for Judge and Yankees as Season Progresses

This recent downturn marks the first notable slump in Aaron Judge’s rising season, largely attributed to his admitted lapses in disciplined hitting. The Yankees’ inability to capitalize offensively against Boston’s pitching underscored vulnerabilities the team must address moving forward to remain competitive.

For Judge, regaining his strike zone awareness and measured approach at the plate will be critical to overcoming this rough patch and continuing his impressive early-season form. The outcome of upcoming matchups will reveal whether these struggles prove temporary or a sign of needed adjustments in his approach amid intense competition.