On Wednesday night, August 21, Aaron Judge powered the Yankees to an 8-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians with two home runs at Yankee Stadium. Alongside Judge’s heroics, Juan Soto stole the spotlight by driving in five runs, leading the Yankees to a dominating win. This victory was crucial for the Yankees (now 74-53), as they took over first place in the American League East, pushing past the Orioles after Baltimore’s loss to the Mets.
The Yankees got off to a fast start, with Juan Soto launching a two-run homer in the first inning. This was Soto’s 36th homer of the season, marking a new career-high. His hot streak continues, as his last eight hits since August 11 have all been home runs, a stat noted by baseball analyst Katie Sharp.
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Soto’s impact didn’t stop there. In his third at-bat, with the bases loaded, he crushed a double down the left field line, clearing the bases and pushing the Yankees’ lead even further. Soto’s performance was outstanding, as he drove in five of the team’s eight runs. His timely hitting was critical in breaking open the game and putting the Guardians on the defensive.
Not to be outdone, Aaron Judge added to the scoreboard with his own display of power. In the third inning, Judge hit a two-run homer, bringing his season total to 47 home runs. He later added a solo shot in the seventh inning, further cementing his place as one of baseball’s premier sluggers. Judge is now on pace to hit 60 home runs this season, a milestone that would put him in elite company.
The Yankees’ offense was firing on all cylinders, with both Soto and Judge collecting two hits each. Their contributions accounted for all eight of the Yankees’ runs, showcasing their ability to deliver in clutch moments. Gleyber Torres also had a solid night, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Anthony Volpe added a double in his only hit of the game.
The Yankees’ offense was backed by a stellar performance from Nestor Cortes on the mound. The left-hander gave the Yankees exactly what they needed after their bullpen had to pitch nine innings in Tuesday’s game due to an injury to Luis Gil. Cortes delivered seven scoreless innings, throwing 104 pitches with 68 strikes. He allowed just three hits and struck out four batters without issuing a walk. This was Cortes’ second consecutive scoreless outing, both times going seven innings, as he continues to be a reliable force for the Yankees’ rotation.
Cortes kept the Guardians’ hitters off-balance all night, mixing his pitches and keeping them guessing. His efficiency and command were evident throughout the game, as he consistently worked ahead in counts and prevented Cleveland from mounting any significant offensive threat.
The Yankees’ bullpen, after a heavy workload the night before, was able to rest with Cortes’ long outing. This was a much-needed boost for the team, as they look to stay fresh heading into the final stretch of the season.
Austin Wells, who sat out Tuesday’s game, got the start against a left-handed pitcher and went 1-for-4 at the plate. His presence behind the plate helped guide Cortes through his dominant performance. Wells continues to gain experience and improve as the Yankees look to develop their young catcher.
The Yankees are now in prime position in the standings, thanks to this dominant win. The victory not only highlighted the strength of their offense but also underscored the importance of their starting pitching. With both Judge and Soto leading the charge, the Yankees look poised to maintain their hold on first place in the American League East.
Juan Soto, without a doubt, was the game’s MVP. His five RBIs were crucial in giving the Yankees an early lead and breaking the game open later on. Soto’s ability to come through in pressure situations continues to be a huge asset for the team.
The Yankees and Guardians will wrap up their three-game series on Thursday afternoon. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Gerrit Cole (4-2, 4.15 ERA) will take the mound for New York, while the Guardians will counter with Gavin Williams (2-5, 5.02 ERA). The Yankees will be looking to complete the sweep and further solidify their position at the top of the division.
