Juan Soto hit three home runs for the first time in his career, and Nestor Cortes pitched seven scoreless innings as the New York Yankees defeated the Chicago White Sox 4-1 on Tuesday night, taking sole possession of the AL East lead.
Soto hit a two-run homer to left field in the third inning off starter Jonathan Cannon (2-6) and followed with a leadoff home run in the fifth inning. He then hit his 33rd home run of the season in the seventh inning against left-handed reliever Fraser Ellard, pulling a drive to right field that made the score 4-0.
“Just a great night by a great player,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I feel like in watching Juan I’m watching one of the best seasons I’ve ever seen.”
Soto had a chance to tie the major league record for most home runs in a game with four but walked in his last at-bat in the ninth inning. He smiled after missing a 3-0 pitch that was slightly outside the strike zone.
“That’s why he’s the greatest hitter in the game,” teammate Aaron Judge said. “You leave a pitch in the zone, he’ll do damage. But if you don’t throw to him, he’ll help the next guy do his thing.”
Cortes (6-10), who had a rough outing against the Angels five days earlier, allowed just three hits and matched his season high with nine strikeouts.
“He’s just nasty Nestor. You’re always expecting something like that from him,” Soto said.
Luis Robert Jr. broke up New York’s shutout bid with an RBI single off Mark Leiter Jr. in the eighth inning. Jake Cousins, the last of four relievers, earned his first career save by getting three outs, including two with the bases loaded.
The Yankees moved a half-game ahead of second-place Baltimore, which lost to the Washington Nationals.
“Cortes was tough tonight. He was throwing the ball well, mixing it up, getting his spots,” White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore said. “He really did a good job.”
