Soto’s First Career 3-Homer Game Lifts Yankees Over White Sox 4-1, Cortes Shines
Juan Soto had a historic night with his first career three-homer game, leading the New York Yankees to a 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. Nestor Cortes pitched seven shutout innings, helping the Yankees take sole possession of the AL East lead.
Soto hit a two-run homer to left field in the third inning off White Sox starter Jonathan Cannon, followed by a leadoff homer in the fifth. In the seventh, he launched his 33rd home run of the season off lefty reliever Fraser Ellard, pulling the ball to right field for a 4-0 Yankees lead. Soto had a chance for a fourth home run but walked in the ninth inning.
“He’s having one of the best seasons I’ve ever seen,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, praising Soto’s performance.
Cortes (6-10) rebounded from a tough outing against the Angels, scattering three hits and striking out nine over seven innings. “He’s just nasty Nestor,” Soto said of the left-hander’s dominant performance. Mark Leiter Jr. allowed an RBI single to Luis Robert Jr. in the eighth, ending the Yankees’ shutout bid, but Jake Cousins closed out the game, earning his first career save with a bases-loaded escape in the ninth.
The Yankees, now leading Baltimore by a half-game, held the White Sox to just five hits. Cannon (2-6) allowed four runs on five hits, with three walks and four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. The White Sox, who hold the league’s worst record at 29-92, lost for the 31st time in 36 games after a blowout 12-2 victory the previous night.
Soto became the 25th player in MLB history to record 23 multi-homer games by age 25, just behind Hall of Famer Mel Ott, who had 24. Soto is currently batting .351 with 12 home runs in his last 28 games, and the Yankees now have 40 three-homer games in their history, including postseason play.
In other news, Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. may be headed to the injured list due to a left elbow injury, potentially damaging his ulnar collateral ligament on a slide. The team expects to have more information by Wednesday.
Trainer’s Room:
Yankees catcher Jose Trevino (left quadriceps strain) continued his rehab with Double-A Somerset.
RHP Ian Hamilton (lat strain) is expected to throw a live bullpen session this weekend.
White Sox 3B Yoán Moncada (adductor strain) still has no clear timetable for his return.
Up Next:
The Yankees will send rookie Will Warren (0-1, 11.17 ERA) to the mound in the series finale, facing White Sox right-hander Davis Martin (0-1, 3.65 ERA).
