CHICAGO – What can’t Juan Soto do?
Before Tuesday night, the short list included hitting three home runs in a game or even a single one at Guaranteed Rate Field (albeit in six games there in a career).
The Yankees star killed two birds with one stone – and three balls with three swings – on Tuesday night, hitting three home runs to back up Nestor Cortes’ seven scoreless innings en route to a 4-1 victory over the White Sox.
“It’s really fun,” Soto said with a chuckle. “It’s really cool to watch, and it’s even better to win.”
Soto had a chance to hit a fourth home run in the ninth inning, but did not see a pitch in the strike zone and had to settle for a walk.
“That’s why he’s the best hitter in the game,” Aaron Judge said. “If you leave a pitch in the zone, he’s going to do damage, but if you don’t throw to him, he’s going to let the next guy up there do his thing.”
“I call (Judge) the best hitter in the world,” Soto later responded. “Look at his numbers, he’s just unbelievable. He makes my job easier. He makes my appearances at the plate a little better. When you hit in front of a guy like that, you know you’re going to get pitches. So he’s the best.”
The White Sox threatened to spoil the night after Cortes left the game by scoring a run in the eighth inning against Mark Leiter Jr. before sending the first two batters to the field in the ninth inning against Tommy Kahnle.
But with Clay Holmes unavailable after throwing 45 pitches on Sunday, Jake Cousins saved the situation by securing the final three outs and loading the bases.
On a day that began with Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the MRI tube and diagnosed with a UCL injury – the severity of which is yet to be determined – the Yankees (71-50) were able to finish the night on a high note, moving into first place in the AL East by half a game over the Orioles.
The victory also somewhat alleviated the stench of Monday’s ugly 12-2 loss to the historically bad White Sox (29-92), allowing for a decisive game on Wednesday.
Soto, who has now hit five home runs in his last three games, hit his first two home runs of the night the other way before hitting a left-to-left longball in the seventh inning. The three home runs — totaling 1,182 feet — gave him 33 home runs this season, two shy of his career high.
“Just a great night from a great player,” said manager Aaron Boone. “I dream of being in the batter’s box where he is now. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
And while Judge’s monster season overshadows Soto’s incredible year to some extent, that’s not necessarily the case for those witnessing it up close.
“I don’t know, because I feel like when I watch Juan, I’m also watching one of the best seasons I’ve ever seen,” Boone said. “And then I get to watch Aaron right behind him.”
Soto provided the support Cortes needed, as the left-hander delivered seven great innings for the Yankees, who desperately needed some length to give their overworked bullpen a breather – despite entering the evening with a 7.49 ERA in his last seven starts. He was the first Yankees starter to go six innings since July 28, let alone seven (July 22) – both by Carlos Rodon.
And even though he was busy with his own business every time Soto threw a pitch that deep, it was still a thrill for Cortes.
“Today I was in the tunnel and I just heard the screams from our bench – ‘Ohhh!’ I was like, ‘Oh, that’s a home run,'” Cortes said. “And of course Juan Soto hit all three. It’s impressive. Even though we can’t watch, we see our teammates screaming because they’re impressed with what he’s doing. It’s cool to have him on our team.”
