Aaron Judge chases home run record: Yankees slugger walked twice, still one HR away from passing Roger Maris

The Yankees star now has six games remaining to hit No. 62 and become the AL's home run king

NEW YORK -- New York Yankees slugger and AL MVP favorite Aaron Judge remains at 61 home runs after going 1 for 2 with two walks (one intentional) against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night (BAL 2, NY 1). Judge is looking to break the tie with Roger Maris and take over as the American League's single-season home run king.

Here are the most home runs hit in a season in AL history:

1. Aaron Judge, 2022 Yankees: 61 and counting
2. Roger Maris, 1961 Yankees: 61 
3. Babe Ruth, 1927 Yankees: 60
4. Babe Ruth, 1921 Yankees: 59
5. Hank Greenberg, 1938 Tigers: 58
6. Jimmie Foxx, 1932 Athletics: 58

Judge became the sixth player in history with a 60-homer season on Sept. 20 and he tied Maris with his 61st homer this past Wednesday. Only Barry Bonds (73 in 2001), Mark McGwire (70 in 1998 and 65 in 1999) and Sammy Sosa (66 in 1998, 64 in 2001 and 63 in 1999) have hit more home runs in a season than Judge, and they all played in the National League.

In addition to 62 home runs, Judge is also chasing the Triple Crown. Friday's 1 for 2 effort improved his batting average to .31408. Judge is second to Twins infielder Luis Arraez and his .31471 average, and he has sizable leads in home runs and batting average. Miguel Cabrera won baseball's last Triple Crown in 2012.

The Yankees have six games remaining, giving Judge ample opportunity to pad his home run total. He's hit as many as six home runs in a six-game span this season. Judge has never faced righty Austin Voth, Baltimore's schedule starter for Saturday, though the forecast is poor and a rainout is possible.