Judge hits 3-out HR for Yanks

New York

The Yankees and Phillies played to a 2-2 exhibition tie on Monday at Yankee Stadium that featured a highly unusual Aaron Judge home run.

After Philadelphia grabbed a 2-0 lead with runs in each of the first two innings off Deivi Garcia, Phillies manager and former Yankees skipper Joe Girardi decided to rewrite the rule book in the bottom of the fifth.

Although pitcher Vince Velasquez had apparently induced DJ LeMahieu to hit an inning-ending groundout, Girardi gestured from the third-base dugout, indicating that he wanted Velasquez to stay on the mound in order to reach a pitch count. Judge obliged, digging in to slug a homer into the right-field bullpen.

The Yankees tied the game at 2 on Mike Ford's solo homer in the bottom of the ninth.

Blue Jays: The Toronto Blue Jays are talking to the Pittsburgh Pirates about sharing a major league ballpark this season after Canada's government barred them from playing in Rogers Centre, their home stadium, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Braves: The Atlanta Braves have removed a "Chop On" sign that sat near an entrance to Truist Park as the team considers its stance on fans' tomahawk chop chant. ... The Braves signed infielder Matt Adams to a minor-league contract. The move comes after Adams exercised the opt-out clause in his minor league deal with the Mets.

Brewers: Left-hander Brett Anderson was placed on the injured list due to a blister on his left index finger.

Nationals: Dr. Anthony Fauci, a Washington Nationals fan and the nation's top infectious diseases expert, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the team's opener Thursday against the New York Yankees.

Orioles: Left-hander John Means has a sore arm and may not be able to start Friday night's opener at...