Yankees' Judge sets MLB record by striking out in 33rd consecutive game
It's not exactly a record you want to chase.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge set a new MLB record for non-pitchers when he struck out in the top of the ninth inning of Wednesday's game against the New York Mets. It was the 33rd consecutive game where Judge has struck out, breaking a previous record held by retired slugger Adam Dunn.
Judge almost made it, too. He didn't go down on strikes until his fifth plate appearance of the game and he even worked the count full.
The last time the 25-year-old rookie didn't get punched out was on July 7 against the Milwaukee Brewers when he went 1-for-5 with a home run.
Even before Judge slowed at the plate following the All-Star break, he was prone to striking out. To date, he has struck out in 31.8 percent of his plate appearances.
Despite the inauspicious streak, Judge neither leads the majors in strikeouts or strikeout percentage. Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano leads baseball with 164 strikeouts while Texas Rangers third baseman Joey Gallo has fanned in 37.3 percent of his plate appearances.
Numbing the pain somewhat, however, was the monstrous home run Judge sent into the night sky earlier in the game.