Aaron Judge states case again, lifts New York Yankees past Houston Astros on eve of arbitration hearing

NEW YORK — Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees have a hearing Friday to determine the three-time All-Star's salary for the 2022 season.

Whatever gets decided, the verdict has already come down in the Bronx: Judge is going to be worth every penny.

The steady, 6-foot-7 slugger lined a game-winning single on the eve of his arbitration showdown, capping a four-run ninth inning that included Aaron Hicks' tying three-run homer off closer Ryan Pressly in the Yankees' 7-6 victory over the Houston Astros on Thursday night.

Batting with two on against Ryne Stanek, Judge smoked a 3-0 splitter into the left-field corner to score Jose Trevino from second base. It was the Yankees' ninth walk-off win in 70 games this season — their most since 1943 — and one that seemed mighty unlikely when they entered the last inning with only two hits.

«There's a sign on the way out to the dugout that says, 'Do Your Job,'» Judge said. «That's what I tried to do in that situation.»

A job with an unknown salary, for now. The 30-year-old will have an unusual in-season arbitration hearing Friday — rulings are usually made in the offseason but were pushed past opening day this year due to the sport's labor lockout.

Judge is asking for $21 million. New York has offered $17 million. The arbitrator will be charged with picking one salary or the other — nothing in between.

The hearing comes after the sides failed to reach agreement on a long-term contract prior to Judge's opening-day deadline this spring, meaning No. 99 could leave the Yankees to chase a free-agent deal elsewhere after the season.

Asked about Friday's meeting, Judge smiled and said only, «We'll talk after.»

«We always hope the best for our guys in arbitration and stuff like that,» Hicks