Chicago — Juan Soto hit three home runs for the first time in his career, Nestor Cortez pitched seven scoreless innings and the New York Yankees held the Chicago White Sox 4-1 on Tuesday night to take sole possession of first place in the American League East.
Soto hit a two-run homer to left field off starter Jonathan Cannon (2-6) in the third inning and then led off with a leadoff homer in the fifth inning. The four-time All-Star then hit his 33rd homer of the season off left-handed relief pitcher Fraser Ellerdo in the seventh inning to make it 4-0.
He had a chance to tie the major league record with four home runs in a single game, but Soto reached base on his final walk in the ninth inning. After swinging and missing a 3-0 pitch just outside the strike zone, Soto was all smiles.
Cortes (6-10), who gave up nine hits and six runs in a brief appearance against the Angels five days ago, allowed just three hits this time and struck out nine batters, tying his season high.
Luis Robert Jr. ended New York’s shutout hopes in the eighth inning with a one-run single off Mark Leiter Jr. Jake Cousins, the last of the four relievers, got three outs, two of which were with the bases loaded, to earn his first career save.
The Yankees fell 0.5 games behind second-place Baltimore, who lost to the Washington Nationals.
Cannon gave up five hits, walked three and struck out four in 4 2/3 innings for the major league-worst White Sox (29-92), who gave up 18 hits in a 12-2 win over the Reds, but only gave up five hits. The team has lost 31 of its past 36 games.
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was 2-for-3 with two singles and two walks, bringing his career home run tally to 299.
Soto hit three home runs in a Yankees game, including the postseason, for the 40th time in the club’s history and the second this year, following rookie Ben Rice’s July 6 win over Boston.
The 25-year-old Soto has hit multiple home runs in 23 career games. The only player to have more by age 25 is Hall of Fame slugger Mel Ott, with 24.
Soto is batting .351 with 12 home runs and a 1.233 OPS in his last 28 games.
New York manager Aaron Boone said before the game that third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. will likely be placed on the disabled list with a left elbow injury. Chisholm appears to have torn his ulnar collateral ligament while sliding in Monday’s game.
The club expects to have enough diagnostic information to make a decision by Wednesday.
Trainer Room
Yankees: Catcher Jose Trevino (left quad strain) was scheduled to make a rehab appearance Tuesday at Double-A Somerset. Trevino has been on the 10-day disabled list since July 13. … Manager Boone said right-hander Ian Hamilton (latissimus dorsi strain) will pitch some live bullpen time this weekend. Trevino has been out since June 18.
White Sox: Robert returned to the lineup on Monday after a day of rest. … The team hasn’t given up on third baseman Yoan Moncada (strained adductor) returning this season, but interim manager Grady Sizemore said there is no definitive timetable for his return. Moncada has not played since early April.
Next
Chicago right-hander Davis Martin (0-1, 3.65 ERA) will make his third start of the season in Wednesday night’s series finale. The Yankees did not announce their planned starting pitchers.
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