Aaron Judge hit the first home run of his MLB career the day after Alex Rodriguez retired. Now, the two are tied on the Yankees’ all-time home run list.

Judge hit his 351st career homer in a 4-2 win over the Braves on Sunday, moving into a tie with A-Rod for sixth place in Yankees history.

“Just an incredible honor, especially, you know, growing up watching A-Rod for so many years and watching what he did in pinstripes,” Judge said. “He’s a legend. One of the best ever players.”

Judge trails Yankee greats Babe Ruth (659), Mickey Mantle (536), Lou Gehrig (493), Joe DiMaggio (361) and Yogi Berra (358) in career homers for New York.

Judge’s homer on Sunday was his 36th of the season. He is two behind MLB leader Cal Raleigh of the Mariners, who won the Home Run Derby in Atlanta on Monday.

Judge hit a solo shot in the first inning that traveled 409 feet to right field off Grant Holmes, giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead. It was his eighth home run in his last 17 games.

The Yankees travel to Toronto to face the AL East-leading Blue Jays in a three-game series starting Monday.

Alonso’s games played streak continues

Pete Alonso didn’t start Sunday for the first time in more than a year because of a bruised right hand, but the New York Mets’ All-Star first baseman extended his team-record streak for consecutive games played by entering as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning of a 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Alonso, whose 354 consecutive games played are the second-most in the majors behind Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson (718 games), replaced Mark Vientos and was serenaded with the Citi Field sellout crowd of 42,981 chanting his name. He struck out in his only at-bat in the eighth.

“I really don’t care about the streak,” Alonso said. “I just want to be out there and play every day as long as I’m able to. That’s just who I am. And if I’m able to play, I’m going to strap it on and go get it. So I was really happy that my body allowed me to get out there today.”

Alonso said he got jammed on his final swing in the batting cage prior to Saturday’s 5-2 loss. The 30-year-old slugger said his hand “felt horrible” after he was jammed again during his second at-bat.

Alonso said he was concerned Saturday night, but X-rays on the hand were negative and he had treatment before the series finale.

“(Saturday) after the game, I was pretty worried,” Alonso said. “But I had a great night of recovery, thankfully, and this morning threw a ton of different treatment at it. It responded really well. If we keep trending in the right direction then we’re going to be in a really good spot.”

Alonso had started the Mets’ previous 205 games dating to May 31, 2024. He and Mendoza both said they expect Alonso to return to the lineup for Monday night’s series opener against the Los Angeles Angels.

Freeman leaves after being hit by pitch

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman exited Sunday’s 6-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers after being hit by a pitch on his left wrist by pitcher Jose Quintana in the sixth inning.

Manager Dave Roberts said Freeman is day to day with a left wrist contusion.

“I held my breath,” Roberts said. “I think we all did because, you know, when you’re scuffling and to potentially lose a guy for four to six weeks is obviously very scary. But, you know, exhale, sigh of relief after hearing that it (the X-ray) was negative.”

Freeman broke his left wrist in 2017 after being hit by a pitch when he was with the Atlanta Braves.

Briefly

Astros >> Third baseman Isaac Paredes was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday with a right hamstring strain.

Angels >> First baseman Nolan Schanuel left Sunday’s game with a left wrist contusion after being hit by a pitch and is listed as day-to-day.