Juan Soto hit a three-run home run, and Cody Poteet pitched well in his first game for New York as the Yankees won 8-2, completing a sweep of the Cleveland Guardians in a doubleheader on Saturday. This adds to the Yankees’ strong start this season, which is among their best in history.
The Yankees are off to a 12-3 start, which they’ve achieved for the seventh time, with their last such start happening in 2003 when they reached the World Series.
They’ve been particularly strong on the road, winning 8 of their 9 away games and securing victories in all five of their series so far, a feat they’ve only accomplished twice before in 1923 and 2010.
The team’s batting lineup has been impressive, consistently challenging opposing pitchers and forcing teams to make strategic changes early in games.
Soto’s home run came in the fourth inning off Triston McKenzie, who had a tough outing, walking six batters in four innings.
Poteet, making his debut for the Yankees after being acquired in the offseason, pitched effectively, allowing just one run and six hits in six innings. It was his first win since 2021, a significant moment for him after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play in the majors again.
Poteet’s signing by New York in January was aimed at bolstering their pitching roster, especially after trading away some pitchers in the deal for Soto. Manager Aaron Boone praised Poteet’s performance, highlighting his potential contribution to the team.
Estevan Florial, a former top prospect for the Yankees who was traded to the Guardians in December, provided a bright spot for Cleveland by hitting a home run in the second game of the doubleheader. However, the Guardians continue to struggle, especially in doubleheaders, where they have won only one out of their last nine games.
