Playoffs in May? How noise in the Bronx got Yankees’ attention

The Yankees heard playoff-level noise in their rally past the Red Sox on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 (5/9/18) at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees pulled out a 9-6 win to take over first place in the AL East and will go for the three-game sweep of Boston on Thursday with CC Sabathia on the mound.

NEW YORK — When Aaron Judge stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning on Wednesday, the crowd noise was deafening.

Judge’s missile into Monument Park for a two-run home run moments later only pushed Yankees fans over the edge.

Judge’s home run, coupled with a go-ahead, two-run triple by left fielder Brett Gardner one batter earlier in a four-run rally, sent a Yankee Stadium crowd of 47,088 into a playoff frenzy, despite the calendar reading May.

“It got my attention. I looked around a little bit there in that eighth inning and it was — I might have even mentioned, it’s May and it was bedlam,” manager Aaron Boone said. “It was fun to be a part of that, fun to watch those guys really be able to slow things down when the place is going nuts and you’ve got the best of the best against you. It’s so much fun to be a part of these games, honestly. That’s the best way I can say it.”

Gardner’s triple plus Judge’s home run drove in four runs to give the Yankees a 9-6 win over the Boston Red Sox. With the teams tied for first place in the AL East and the best record in baseball entering Wednesday, the stakes felt high for a May game.

Giuliani takes in game (PHOTOS)

Add in the fact that the Yankees’ rally gave the team its 17th win in 18 games, and fans had plenty of reason to lose their minds at another improbable comeback.

“You can’t hear anything in that situation,” Judge said. “Gardy’s triple, that home run — I couldn’t hear anything. You’re just running off adrenaline there.”

Even Judge, who typically drops his head and rounds the bases calmly on home runs, couldn’t help but let out a “Woo!” as he rounded first base. On both hits, the Yankees’ dugout erupted in celebration.

Gardner, who has plenty of experience playing May games at Yankee Stadium during his 11-year career, couldn’t recall a spring game with the same atmosphere as Wednesday night.

“Probably not. Our fans have been great and tonight was no exception,” Gardner said. “They were pretty fired up, as were we. It is May, it’s still early in the season, but every game — especially against Boston — is very important. It feels good to get the win tonight.”

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