New York Yankees' Aaron Judge (99) celebrates with teammates as he reaches home plate after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, July 28, 2022, in New York. The Yankees won 1-0. AP

Aaron Judge did it again.

The New York Yankees outfielder hit a walk-off home run Thursday to lift his team to a 1-0 win over the Kansas City Royals. It was Judge’s major-league leading 39th home run of the season as he continues to build his case for being named American League MVP.

BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETSMARTER, TICKETMASTER

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, “Judge needs one more homer in the next three days to become only the third player in #Yankees history to hit 40 homers before August, joining Babe Ruth and Roger Maris.”

Here’s what you need to know from Yankees PR:

The Yankees have recorded 12 “walk-off” wins for just the ninth time in franchise history: 17 in 1943; 15 in 2009; 14 in 1904; 13 in 1942, ‘61, ‘78; 12 in 1906 and 1963.

According to Elias, their 12 “walk-off” wins are tied for the second-most by any Major League team through their first 100 games of a season, trailing only the 1959 Pirates (13).

Are 67-33 (.670) to start the season, the best record in the American League ... marks just the second time in the last 66 seasons the Yankees have won at least 67 of their first 100 decisions (went 74-26 in 1998).

Are 38-12 (.760) in 50 games at home this season, the best home record in the Majors ... are 23-5 in their last 28 home games...are 35-9 in their last 44 home games.

Want to bet on MLB?

See the best MLB Sports Betting sites

DH Aaron Judge (1-for-3, 1R, 1HR, 1RBI, 1BB, 1SB) hit his third career “walk-off” HR in the ninth inning (his other two “walk-off” home runs came earlier this year: a three-run HR in the 10th inning on 6/26 vs. Houston and a three-run HR in the ninth inning on 5/10 vs. Toronto) ... marked his fifth career “walk-off” hit and his fourth of the season...was his sixth career “walk-off” plate appearance. His three “walk-off” home runs this year are tied with Mickey Mantle (three in 1959) for the most by a Yankee in a single season.

According to Elias, Judge’s four “walk-off” RBI hits this season tied Dave Winfield (1985) and Claudell Washington (1988) for the most “walk-off” RBI hits by a Yankees player in a season since 1920 (first year RBIs were officially recorded).

Is just the fourth Yankee (fifth time) and the 10th Major League player (11th time) to hit at least 39 home runs through his club’s first 100 games of a season ... joins Mark McGwire (43HR in 1998 with STL), Barry Bonds (42HR in 2001 with SFG), Jimmie Foxx (41HR in 1932 with PHA), Babe Ruth (41HR in 1928 and 41HR in 1921 with NYY), Reggie Jackson (40HR in 1969 with OAK), Roger Maris (40HR in 1961 with NYY), Ken Griffey Jr. (40HR in 1998 with SEA), Luis Gonzalez (40HR in 2001 with ARI) and Mickey Mantle (39HR in 1961 with NYY). Has 6HR in his last 7G and 9HR in his last 12G.

Has driven in 13 of the Yankees’ 27R over the last 7G.

Recorded his career-high 10th stolen base of the season (previous: 9SB in 2017) ... with 39HR and 10SB this season, is the first Yankee to hit at least 30HR and record at least 10SB in a single season since Curtis Granderson hit 43HR and recorded 10SB in 2012.

- Yankees’ Andrew Benintendi trade ends rumors of deal for Nationals’ Juan Soto, MLB insider says

- Yankees trade target Frankie Montas addresses rumors after final A’s home start before deadline

- Randy Levine makes pitch for Aaron Judge to re-sign with Yankees

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.

Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022).

© 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.

Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.