Washington explains intentional walks to Judge: 'You don't mess with that'

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington didn't want anything to do with Aaron Judge early in his team's 1-0 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday.

The Angels intentionally walked Judge twice in two innings with runners in scoring position, and the Yankees captain had a funny way of acknowledging Washington's actions.

Washington's move was unpopular among the home crowd - many fans in attendance booed at being unable to see the star slugger, a California native, hit. Judge entered Wednesday slashing .450/.589/.750 with runners in scoring position.

While Judge didn't do any damage, he was on base after a first-inning intentional pass when Anthony Volpe's sacrifice fly scored Paul Goldschmidt for the game's only run.

Washington, who has shown no restraint in issuing Judge intentional walks in the past, had a simple explanation for his decisions.

"He's dangerous," Washington said, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

"I don't know what would've happened in that game if I wouldn't have walked him those first two times. You don't mess with that. I don't care how he's swinging the bat. You don't mess with that if you don't have to."

Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi, who issued both intentional passes to Judge in a losing effort, didn't agree with his manager's decision, even though it kept the two-time MVP somewhat contained.

"I didn't really like the intentional walk there, but it's the manager's decision, so we'll just go with it," Kikuchi said of the first-inning walk through an interpreter.

Judge ended the game 0-for-2 with the two free passes and a strikeout as the Yankees handed the Halos their fifth consecutive loss.