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MLB’s biggest stars showcased their slugging skills in a great game on Monday night.
New York Yankees three-time MVP Aaron Judge and Los Angeles Angels three-time MVP Mike Trout played opposing pitchers during their matchup in the Bronx. Judge and Trout each hit two home runs in the duel, which ended with an 11-10 Yankees victory.
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New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge celebrates with designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels in New York on April 13, 2026. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)
MLB researcher Sarah Langs told the story the two players made.
She wrote on X that it was the fourth time in MLB history that two players who have won multiple MVPs at the time of the game hit at least two home runs each. She added that Judge and Trout joined Roy Campanell and Stan Musial, who did it in June 1956, and Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, who did it twice in July 1962.
It was also the second time a pair of already three-time MVPs homered twice in the same game, according to STATS Perform.
Judge hit his first home run in the first inning off Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi. His second home run came in the sixth inning off reliever Shaun Anderson. He finished the game 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. He has six home runs on the year.
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Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates with third base coach Keith Johnson after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees on April 13, 2026, in New York. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)
The Trout’s first hit didn’t come until the sixth inning – from Yankees reliever Jake Bird. The second came in the eighth inning off Camilo Doval. The eighth inning dinger put the Angels ahead 10-8 at the time.
New York stormed back in the ninth when Trent Grisham hit a two-run home run to tie the game. Jose Caballero later scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch.
Trout and Judge both marveled at their performances after the game.
“It was great. That’s baseball for you,” Trout said. “It’s what fans want and to be able to see something like that is pretty cool.”
Judge joked that he wanted to trash Trout when he hit one to the warning track earlier in the game, but couldn’t say anything after Trout hit two homers later.
New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge hits a home run during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels in New York on April 13, 2026. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)
“I was going to smack him after that one he hit all the way to the warning track,” Judge said, “but I didn’t get a chance to, and then he answers right back with two big homers to him. You put that guy in a clutch situation, a big moment, and he’s going to come up every single time, so it’s fun to go back and forth with a guy like that in New York and the Bronx.”
Judge had high praise for Trout, who has been at the top of baseball since entering the league despite dealing with injuries for much of his career.
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“He’s the greatest of all time. It’s been fun watching his whole career, coming up at such a young age and instantly just putting yourself at the top of the list. It’s special,” Judge said.
