Juan SotoA bases-clearing double with one out turned a seventh-inning tie into a three-run lead as the Yankees won the series finale 5–2 and beat the Detroit Tigers after a rain delay in the eighth inning ended the game .
Four takeaways from Sunday’s game
1. In case anyone needed another example of Soto’s clutch gene, he made his latest case with what turned out to be New York’s game-winning play. After Detroit (18-16) was tied 2-2 in the first half, the Yankees (23-13) loaded the bases and Soto walked.
Soto made a 2-1 count and tied up André ChafinThe 91 mph sinker down the right field line, taking advantage of New York’s big opportunity and setting up the final two frames for the bullpen to take care of business. The Yankees signed Soto for these types of moments, and he continues to make his presence felt in them while slashing .316/.421/.559 with eight home runs and 28 RBI in 36 games.
two. Aaron Judge did not let his dismissal in Saturday’s 5-3 victory stand. In fact, he got revenge with his seventh home run (and 20th RBI) of the season.
With one out and a 1-1 count, Judge threw Tarik SkubalThe 97 mph four-seam fastball to the opposite field and into the short porch seats, putting New York up 1-0 in the first inning and sending a message as it turned the page on Saturday’s drama. This is the kind of response one would expect from the captain, and Judge (.220/.350/.439) did just that en route to a 2-for-3 day.
3. As the Yankees advanced into the second inning in Oswaldo Cabrerathe two-out double, a muscular inside-out line drive down the right-field line that scored Gleyber Torres from third base, Nestor Cortes only had a 2-0 lead in the lefty’s six-plus innings of work. Cortes shrugged off the lack of run support with a season-high nine strikeouts.
Cortes (3.72 ERA), who allowed three hits before leaving with one out and two on in the seventh inning, walked one batter while throwing 64 hits on 97 pitches. He inherited the two runs the Tigers later scored on the right-hander Ian Hamiltonbut Cortes ultimately dominated Detroit and had one of his best games to this point in 2024.
4. After losing three of four games at the Baltimore Orioles earlier in the week, the Yankees responded by picking up the brooms for a gritty sweep of the Tigers. New York fought back to Friday’s 2-1 victory and Saturday’s 5-3 victory, and Sunday’s 5-2 final was no different.
Give the Yankees credit for finding ways to beat a Detroit team that entered with some momentum, having won four of the last five games and entering at 18-13. Can New York do the same as the six-game homestand continues?
Who is the MVP?
While Soto is the headliner, the Yankees wouldn’t be in this position without Cortes. By definition, Cortes was the most valuable player on the field Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. When New York needed its lefty to press and keep the score where it was before the offensive lights came on, Cortes made a bulldog walk.
Highlights
What is the next
The Yankees and Houston Astros begin a three-game series in Tuesday’s opener.
New York right-hander Luis Gil (2-1, 3.19 ERA) is the only likely pitcher listed for the 7:05 p.m. start.
