Yankees 9-4 Astros: Soto, Judge, and Stanton make impressive show of long balls

New York Yankees’ Juan Soto celebrates with Aaron Judge, left, after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York.
(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
John Allen
Wednesday May 8, 2024

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New York Yankees 9-4 Houston Astros

NEW YORK — On Wednesday night, the New York Yankees dominated the Houston Astros with an impressive barrage of long-distance hits, securing a resounding 9-4 victory. Spearheading the offensive onslaught was Juan Soto, whose prowess saw him smashing a home run and contributing an impressive five runs to the scoreboard. Adding to the spectacle were Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, both of whom joined in the home run parade, showcasing the Yankees’ formidable offensive firepower.

It was a historic moment for the Yankees as their formidable trio all hit home runs in the same game for the first time. This win extended their winning streak to five games and maintained their flawless record against the Astros this season, standing at 6-0.

Giancarlo Stanton showcased his immense power by smashing a colossal 119.9 mph rocket that reached the second deck, marking the hardest-hit ball in Major League Baseball thus far in the year.

Yankees Starter Rodón Rebounds, Soto Powers Offense in Dominant Win

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Carlos Rodón, starting for New York, effectively silenced any lingering doubts following a challenging performance last week. Demonstrating enhanced command, he managed to scatter seven hits and concede only two runs across 6 1/3 innings, earning a warm reception from the devoted Yankee Stadium crowd.

Meanwhile, the Houston Astros continued to grapple with their struggles. Although Kyle Tucker and Jeremy Peña each secured solo home runs, the overall performance of Houston’s offense faltered. This defeat marked their fourth consecutive loss, plunging their season record to a disheartening 12-24.

On the opposing side, Juan Soto wasted no time in showcasing his prowess. Exhibiting sheer power, he smashed a two-run homer on the very first pitch he faced. The towering blast, spanning 440 feet, vanished deep into the left-center field stands, leaving his 10th home run of the season perched atop an advertisement behind the Astros’ bullpen.

Yankees Trio Unleashes Power Barrage in Rout

In a remarkable offensive showcase, the Yankees’ formidable trio of Judge, Stanton, and Soto joined forces to deliver an awe-inspiring demonstration of power hitting.

Judge set the tone in the third inning with a towering 404-foot blast that gracefully sailed to right-center field. Shortly after, Stanton followed suit, launching a colossal 447-foot solo shot that barely stayed fair inside the left-field foul pole.

For Stanton, this homer wasn’t just any ordinary hit; it marked the third-hardest home run of his career since Statcast tracking commenced in 2015, following closely behind his scorching 118.8 mph homer off Astros ace Justin Verlander the previous night.

Judge continued to shine. Riding the momentum of his hot bat, he achieved his second three-hit game of the season, including a pair of doubles. His pivotal two-run double in the sixth inning extended the Yankees’ lead to a commanding 8-1.

Once again, history repeated itself. With both Judge and Stanton unleashing their power, the Yankees boosted their record to an impressive 34-4 whenever this dynamic duo homers in the same game, showcasing their dominance even into the postseason.

With Soto’s early first-inning homer added to the equation, the trio combined for an astonishing total of 1,291 feet of home runs, leaving the Astros stunned and igniting a deafening roar from the Yankee Stadium crowd.

Yankees Extend Dominance Over Astros, Clinch Series Win

The New York Yankees continued to assert their dominance over the Houston Astros, securing their ninth consecutive victory against them dating back to the previous season. With this win, the Yankees effectively clinched the season series, leaving just one final game at Yankee Stadium on Thursday.

This streak of success goes beyond mere coincidence. Since the onset of 2023, the Yankees have amassed an impressive 11-2 record against the Astros. This newfound supremacy arrives after enduring years of playoff disappointments at the hands of Houston, who dashed New York’s hopes on four occasions between 2015 and 2022, including three painful defeats in the American League Championship Series.

Juan Soto maintained his scorching performance against the Astros, further bolstering his impressive statistics. Not only did he launch a two-run homer in the first inning, but he also contributed with RBI singles in the second and eighth innings, alongside a run-scoring groundout in the sixth. Throughout the season, Soto has consistently troubled Houston, boasting a red-hot .538 batting average (14 for 26) against his former team.

Despite a late offensive surge from the Astros, highlighted by an RBI triple from Jake Meyers and an RBI double from Jose Altuve in the ninth inning, it proved insufficient to overcome the Yankees’ relentless offensive barrage. Houston’s starter, Spencer Arrighetti, struggled on the mound, conceding five runs and eight hits over five innings of play.

The Yankees roster

Up next

In Thursday’s anticipated pitching duel, Houston’s Ronel Blanco (3-0, 2.09 ERA) will toe the rubber against New York’s Marcus Stroman (2-1, 3.41 ERA).

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