Juan Soto hit two of the Yankees’ five home runs, helping New York secure a 9-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday and split their four-game series.
Soto, who arrived in a trade last December, recorded his fourth multi-homer game of the season and 21st of his career. His solo homer in the seventh inning landed in the third deck of right field, while his three-run homer in the eighth brought his season total to 25.
The 25-year-old’s 24th homer soared into a suite above the second deck in right field, and he took a 37.7-second trot after hitting the 424-foot shot.
“I’m just trying to make sure it was a fair ball,” Soto said. “I was literally pulling with everything that I have to stay fair. It was fun to see it and I definitely got a hold (of it).” Soto had a strong series, going 11 for 18, including a four-hit game on Friday.
Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu, Austin Wells, and Anthony Volpe also hit home runs as New York matched their season high with five homers for the second time this year.
Carlos Rodón (10-7) secured his first win since June 10, pitching seven innings and allowing one run and two hits while striking out 10.
“Just a steady mix of everything, getting ahead, attacking the strike zone,” Rodón said.
LeMahieu broke an 0-for-18 slump with his first home run in 10 months, while Rodón, who had struggled recently, turned in a dominant performance to end a tough stretch.
The left-handed pitcher recorded his 25th game with double-digit strikeouts, the first since Sept. 17. He threw his fastballs at an average speed of 95.5 mph, mixing in 20 sliders, 16 curveballs, and 10 changeups.
“That’s the best we’ve seen him pitch against us,” said Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash. “When he’s on, we know how talented he is, and unfortunately, we saw it today.” Rodón kept Tampa Bay hitless until Jose Siri hit a home run in the fifth inning.
Siri took a leisurely 30.0-second jog around the bases, gesturing with his hand to his ear and making another gesture at home plate as fans booed and Aaron Judge watched him.
“He hit that ball well out to right,” Rodón commented on Siri’s home run. “He can run as fast or slow as he wants.” Siri also homered in the Rays’ 6-4 win on Sunday.
“That’s just part of the game,” Siri said through a translator. “I was having fun with my teammates in the dugout, and that’s what happened.”
Wells and Volpe hit consecutive home runs in the second inning off Zack Littell (3-7) for the Yankees, who had 15 hits, their third highest this season.
“Throughout the lineup today, everyone contributed with quality at-bats,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. Oswaldo Cabrera added a two-run single in the fourth inning before LeMahieu hit a home run an inning later.
Wells hit a 1-1 slider to right field for a 1-0 lead, followed by Volpe hitting the same pitch to left field for his first home run since May 16. It was the third time this season the Yankees hit consecutive home runs.
LeMahieu hit an 0-1 pitch into the first row of the left field seats, just beyond Randy Arozarena’s attempt to catch it. Wells raised his arms in celebration, and LeMahieu was congratulated by teammates in the dugout
