Soto plays hero for Yankees; Judge HR drought now at 16 games
- Juan Soto hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning, securing a 2-1 win for the Yankees against the Red Sox.
- Aaron Judge has not hit a home run in 16 games, despite leading the league with 51 home runs this season.
- The Yankees have maintained their lead in the AL East, thanks in part to Soto's recent performances.
In a thrilling game on Thursday night, Juan Soto delivered a walk-off single in the 10th inning, leading the New York Yankees to a 2-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. This win came just a day after Soto hit a two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals, showcasing his crucial role in the Yankees' recent success. The Yankees' bullpen was instrumental, holding the Red Sox scoreless for five innings, allowing Soto's heroics to shine through. Aaron Judge, the Yankees' captain, has been experiencing a significant home run drought, having not hit a home run in 16 games. Despite leading the league with 51 home runs, Judge's performance has dipped, with a slash line of .207/.352/.259 since August 26. His struggles at the plate have drawn comparisons to his slow start earlier in the season, where he also faced challenges before finding his rhythm. Judge's recent at-bats included two flyouts and a weak single, indicating a tough stretch for the star player. Teammate Nestor Cortes humorously suggested that Judge might need to be ejected from a game again to regain his form, highlighting the unusual circumstances surrounding Judge's current performance. Despite Judge's struggles, the Yankees have managed to maintain their position in the AL East, now two games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles and leading the Cleveland Guardians for the best record in the American League. Soto's contributions have been vital in this stretch, as the team aims to carry their momentum into the final month of the season.