Aaron Judge hits home run No. 60, on brink of reaching Roger Maris' New York Yankees mark

NEW YORK – Inside the dugout after blasting the 60th home run of his incredible season, Aaron Judge heard the crowd’s plea to come out for a bow.

At first, he wasn’t answering.

With the Yankees still down by four runs in Tuesday night’s ninth inning, “I don’t know if he’s going to take a curtain call,’’ Anthony Rizzo said to plate umpire Dan Bellino.

“I really didn’t want to do it,’’ Judge said. “We’re losing. It’s a solo shot.’’

In a reluctant fashion that echoed Roger Maris after his record-setting 61st homer in 1961, Judge popped out for a moment and gave a little wave with his helmet.

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And the Yankees finished off a stunning ninth-inning rally, on Giancarlo Stanton’s walk-off grand slam.

After Judge had matched Babe Ruth’s 60-homer season of 1927 and moved one away from Maris’ single-season franchise and AL record, “It felt like something special was going to happen,’’ said Nestor Cortes.

“And it did.’’

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Aaron Judge makes home run history

In the Yankees' 147th game of the year, Judge became the third Yankee to reach the 60-homer mark.

He's just the sixth MLB player with at least 60 homers in a season, accomplished nine times - topped by Barry Bonds' record 73 homers in 2001 and Mark McGwire's 70 in 1998.

Judge's solo shot came in the ninth inning, off Pittsburgh Pirates' right-hander Wil Crowe, cutting the Pirates' lead to 8-5 on a night when the Yankees' slugging leadoff hitter grounded out twice, walked and struck out in his four previous plate appearances.

And that leadoff clout by Judge - estimated to have traveled 430 feet - started an incredible rally.

Giancarlo Stanton finished it with a walk-off grand slam, sending the Yankees to a 9-8 victory.

It was Stanton's first homer since Sept. 11, during a period where he was in a 2-for-25 slide with 15 strikeouts - including three on Tuesday night.

“I would imagine this week is going to be pretty electric at the Stadium,’’ said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, right before the six-game homestand began.

And with Judge also aiming for an AL Triple Crown, “I’ve got to believe it’s right there, on the short list of (being) one of the all-time best seasons,’’ Boone said. “(He’s) not just a slugging DH.’’