Juan SotoThe Yankees won the final game of the series 5-2, and after a rain delay forced the game to end in the 8th inning, they defeated the Detroit Tigers by a landslide, taking a 3-run lead with a bases loaded double with one out in the 7th inning. .
Four takeaways from Sunday's game
1. In case you needed another example of Soto's clutch gene, he gave the latest example of a play that turned out to be the game-winner for New York. When Detroit (18 wins, 16 losses) tied the score at 2 wins and 2 losses in the first half, the Yankees (23 wins, 13 losses) loaded the bases and Soto took the lead.
Soto made the count 2-1 and put him on the ropes. Andrew Chafinhit a 91 mph sinker down the right field line, sealing New York's big chance and teeing up the final two frames for the bullpen to do its job. The Yankees acquired Soto under these circumstances, and through 36 games, he continues to make his presence felt with the Yankees, recording a batting average of .316/.421/.559, eight home runs, and 28 RBIs.
2. aaron judge His ejection in Saturday's 5-3 win didn't hold him back. In fact, he took revenge with his seventh home run (and 20th RBI) of the season.
1 out, count 1-1, judge fires Tariq SkubalHe sent a message as he flipped a 97 mph four-seam fastball into the opposite field and into the short porch seats, giving New York a 1-0 lead in the first inning and turning the page on Saturday's drama. This is the type of reaction you would expect from a captain, and Judge (.220/.350/.439) did so on his way to two games in three.
3. While the Yankees were trailing by one run in the second inning, oswaldo cabrera's two-out double, an inside-out line drive that hit the right field line and scored. Gleyber Torres From the third base side Nestor Cortez The left-handed pitcher pitched over six innings, leaving him with only a 2-0 lead. Cortez had nine strikeouts, tied for the most of the season, and overcame the lack of support from the batting lineup.
Cortez (3.72 ERA) allowed three hits before leaving the game with one out and two on in the seventh inning, but he also walked one batter while throwing 64 strikes on 97 pitches. He then took over the Tigers' two runs scored off right-handed pitchers. ian hamiltonbut Cortez ultimately dominated Detroit and had one of his best outings to this point in 2024.
4. After dropping three of four games against the Baltimore Orioles earlier in the week, the Yankees took out their broomsticks and fought back with a gutsy sweep against the Tigers. New York fought for a 2-1 win on Friday and a 5-3 win on Saturday, and Sunday's 5-2 final was no exception.
Give credit to the Yankees for finding a way to beat a Detroit team that came into the game with some momentum, winning four of their last five games and coming into the game with an 18-13 record. Can New York do the same as its six-game homestand continues?
Who is the MVP?
Soto is the headliner, but the Yankees wouldn't be in that position without Cortez. By definition, Cortez was the most valuable player on the field at Yankee Stadium Sunday afternoon. Cortez got the Bulldogs out when New York needed the southpaw to hold on and keep the score alive before the lights went on on the offensive line.
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what's next
The Yankees and Houston Astros will begin a three-game series in Tuesday's season opener.
New York's right hand Lewis Gill (2-1, 3.19 ERA) is the only pitcher listed for the 7:05 p.m. start.
