New York Yankees rookie Spencer Jones joined an unwanted club Wednesday, striking out five times in a 5-4, 13-inning loss to the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

Jones went 0-for-6 as New York’s starting center fielder, becoming the first Yankees hitter to strike out five times in a game since superstar Aaron Judge did so against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 28, 2024. The outing marked Judge’s third career five-strikeout game, while Jones recorded his first in the majors.

Talkin' Yanks noted the connection on X, formerly Twitter, one day after Jones hit a three-run homer in New York's 8-1 win.

“Spencer Jones becomes the first Yankee to strikeout five times in one game since Aaron Judge in September of 2024”

Spencer Jones becomes the first Yankee to strikeout five times in one game since Aaron Judge in September of 2024 pic.twitter.com/F4HKtOEGlb

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) September 16, 2026

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Jones entered the game batting .259/.331/.452 with 10 home runs. His hitless afternoon dropped that line to .252/.323/.440, while his strikeout rate sits around 35 percent.

Twins starter Zebby Matthews held the Yankees to two hits across six scoreless innings while recording eight strikeouts. Carlos Rodon countered by allowing two runs on four hits across six innings for New York.

The Yankees did not score until Anthony Volpe delivered a two-out, two-run double in the ninth frame. Both teams scored in the 10th and 11th before going scoreless in the 12th. In the 13th, pinch hitter Victor Caratini singled home automatic runner Luke Keaschall to secure the walk-off victory for the Twins.

The Yankees tied a season high with 17 strikeouts and set another by stranding 13 runners. Their afternoon worsened in the sixth inning when Judge exited with lower right leg tightness after striking out in both at-bats. Heliot Ramos replaced him.

The loss dropped the Yankees to 88-64, four games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East. The Twins improved to 71-81, avoided a sweep, and finished the six-game season series tied at three wins apiece. For Jones, the five-strikeout performance underscored the contact concerns surrounding the 6-foot-7 outfielder, whom New York selected 25th overall in 2022.