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NEW YORK — The New York Yankees are suddenly staggering, losing nine of their past 12 games and four straight series after consecutive losses to the Mets. Wednesday’s defeat was especially ugly: a 12-2, rain-delayed pounding at Citi Field. The Yankees remain in first place by one game only because the second-place Baltimore Orioles are also in a rut.

That doesn’t mean Aaron Judge has stopped hitting.

The superstar slugger continued his rampage Wednesday, pushing both Yankees runs across with his 30th home run of the season in the Yankees’ 82nd game — the same pace he was on in 2022 when he finished with an American League-record 62 home runs.

Wednesday’s blast, a two-run shot off Danny Young, was Judge’s second home run of the two-game series — he hit a grand slam in Tuesday’s loss — and his 287th career home run, tying Bernie Williams for seventh most in franchise history.

“It’s great, but nothing to really focus on,” Judge said. “We got a season ahead of us, a lot of ballgames ahead of us.”

Judge joined Babe Ruth as the only players in franchise history with 30 home runs before July — Ruth reached the number twice, in 1928 and 1930. He is the third player in major league history with 30 home runs before the All-Star break three times in his career, joining Mark McGwire and Ken Griffey Jr. He is the seventh player in major league history with 30 home runs and 75 RBIs before July, and the first since Chris Davis in 2013.

Judge has made that history on the back of an otherworldly tear after a sluggish first month of the season. Since May 1, Judge is batting .379 with a 1.412 OPS, 24 home runs and 17 doubles in 49 games. He is hitting .309/.433/.712 with 60 walks in 80 games this season.

“It’s remarkable,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Just more great at-bats tonight by him. Kind of running out of adjectives and superlatives and what have you. I mean, it’s amazing what he’s doing.”

Judge finished Wednesday 2-for-2 with a walk for his 20th multihit game since the start of May. He and Juan Soto combined to drive in seven of the Yankees’ nine runs in the two losses to the Mets as the rest of the offense continued to struggle, especially against left-handed pitching.

He could’ve inflicted more damage on Mets pitching Wednesday, but Boone replaced him with a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning with the Yankees trailing 11-2.

“I want every at-bat,” Judge said. “The game is never over. So I want every at-bat, but I’m not the manager. He makes the call, and I wasn’t upset at all.”

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D-backs star Marte’s home robbed during break

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D-backs star Marte's home robbed during break

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A home belonging to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was burglarized during the Major League Baseball All-Star break, according to police.

Scottsdale, Arizona, police confirmed that the department is investigating a “high-dollar residential burglary” that is believed to have happened on Tuesday night, which is when Marte was playing for the National League in its All-Star game win in Atlanta.

Numerous personal items and jewelry were stolen. No one was at home when the burglary occurred.

Police said the home is “reportedly” owned by Marte. Maricopa County Assessor’s Office records show Marte owns a home on the block near the investigation.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

Marte hit a two-run double in the first inning of the NL’s win, which was secured after a home run contest at the end of the game after the score was tied after nine innings.

The burglary is the latest in a series of thefts from the homes of high-profile athletes across the country this year. Players have been targeted because of the high-end products believed to be in their homes and sometimes the thefts occur when they are away with their teams for road games.

The FBI has warned sports leagues about crime organizations targeting professional athletes. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to athletes.

A Seattle man was charged last month in connection with a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent active and retired professional athletes in the area.

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Cubs icon Sandberg ‘continuing to fight’ cancer

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Cubs icon Sandberg 'continuing to fight' cancer

Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg said Wednesday he is “continuing to fight” cancer and is prioritizing time with those closest to him.

He posted a letter addressed to his fans and extended baseball family on Instagram.

“I wanted to share an update regarding my health,” wrote Sandberg, 65. “It’s been a challenging few months as I have been going through treatment on a regular basis.

“While I am continuing to fight, I’m looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.

“I haven’t been to Wrigley Field as much as I hoped in the first half but I’m watching every game and am excited for the second half.”

He threw out the first pitch, surrounded by fellow Cubs greats, before the home opener on April 4.

In January 2024, Sandberg announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, then last August announced he was cancer-free. In December, he said the cancer had recurred and spread. He vowed to “continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this.”

Sandberg spent 15 of his 16 major league seasons with the Cubs, along with 13 games at the start of his career for the Philadelphia Phillies (1981).

Sandberg was the 1984 National League MVP, when he batted a career-high .314 with a major-league-leading 19 triples and 114 runs scored as well as 19 home runs, 84 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.

The second baseman also earned the second of his nine career Gold Glove awards that year. He was a 10-time All-Star selection and a seven-time Silver Slugger honoree, batting .285 with 282 home runs and 1,061 RBIs in his 2,164-game career.

Sandberg, who was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, also spent parts of three seasons (2013-15) as the Phillies’ manager.

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Rangers give All-Star bonus to snubbed Eovaldi

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Rangers give All-Star bonus to snubbed Eovaldi

Despite an excellent first half to the season, Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t selected as an All-Star this year, but the team made sure that he’ll be paid like one.

Despite the snub, Eovaldi was given the $100,000 All-Star bonus in his contract by the Rangers after he posted a 1.58 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 91 innings. Teammate Jacob deGrom, who was selected as an All-Star, also received a $100,000 bonus.

Eovaldi, in his 15th major league season, would lead the majors in ERA, but after missing a month due to a triceps injury, he fell six innings short of the necessary 97 innings to qualify among leaders for individual statistical categories.

Eovaldi, a two-time All-Star, won his third straight game on Sunday to improve to 7-3, giving up five hits and a run with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings against the Houston Astros.

The right-hander ranks second only to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal among MLB starting pitchers in WHIP (0.85) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.71). Opposing batters are hitting a paltry .194 with a .237 on-base percentage, .286 slugging percentage and .523 OPS against Eovaldi.

Eovaldi is scheduled to make his first start of the second half at home on Sunday against Skubal and the Tigers at Globe Life Field.

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