Judge's Historic Home Run Drought Extends to 16 Games, Still Leads MLB with 51 Home Runs

Aaron Judge has not hit a home run in 16 games, the longest drought of his career, but the Yankees slugger is still having an MVP-caliber season.

Aaron Judge's quest for history has been put on hold, as the New York Yankees slugger has not hit a home run in 16 games, the longest drought of his career. Despite the recent slump, Judge remains the MLB leader in home runs with 51 and is still a strong candidate for the American League MVP award.

On Thursday, Judge went 1-4 with a single and a walk in the Yankees' 2-1 extra-inning win over the Boston Red Sox. He hit a first-inning drive that was caught at the right-field wall and a 104.7 mph grounder that was turned into an inning-ending double play in the fifth inning.

Judge's Historic Home Run Drought Extends to 16 Games, Still Leads MLB with 51 Home Runs

The home run drought is a departure from Judge's torrid pace earlier this season, when he hit nine home runs in 10 games, leading to speculation that he could break his own American League record for most home runs in a season (62).

However, Judge's recent slump has not dampened the enthusiasm of his teammates, who know that the home runs will eventually come.

Judge's Historic Home Run Drought Extends to 16 Games, Still Leads MLB with 51 Home Runs

"He's getting base hits. He's getting on base. He's creating traffic," said starting pitcher Nestor Cortes. "The homers haven't been there, but I know they'll come. He's a big boy."

Despite the lack of home runs, Judge is still having an incredible season. He is hitting .319 with 126 RBIs and is on pace to win his second AL MVP award in three years.

Judge's Historic Home Run Drought Extends to 16 Games, Still Leads MLB with 51 Home Runs

Yankees manager Aaron Boone is impressed with how Judge has avoided major slumps throughout this season.

"Homers, even for guys like him, they still come in bunches, and you're going to have those stretches," Boone said. "I guess it's amazing that he has avoided those. But, I mean, that's just a testament to how good of a hitter and how much power he has."

With their extra-innings win over the Red Sox, the Yankees now hold a two-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. They will look to extend their lead when they face the Red Sox again on Friday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.