Soto, Judge and Stanton homer in same game with Yankees for 1st time during 9-4 win over Astros

New York Yankees’ Juan Soto throws his bat after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto homered and drove in five runs, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton also went deep and the New York Yankees beat the Houston Astros 9-4 on Wednesday night.

New York Yankees’ Juan Soto celebrates with Aaron Judge, left, after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

It was the first time the power trio all connected in the same game for the Yankees, who won their fifth straight and improved to 6-0 against the Astros this season.

New York Yankees’ Juan Soto celebrates with third base coach Luis Rojas (67) after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

“That certainly puts a smile on your face when those three guys do that,” New York manager Aaron Boone said.

Stanton hit a 119.9 mph rocket into the second deck that was the hardest-hit ball in the majors this year.

“We all know how capable we are and when you have nights like that, it’s great,” Soto said.

New York starter Carlos Rodón (3-2) bounced back from his worst outing of the season last week in Baltimore. He allowed two runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings, earning a nice hand from the home crowd.

New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge, center, Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo, left, celebrate after the Yankees defeated the Houston Astros in a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Kyle Tucker and Jeremy Peña homered for the Astros, who lost their fourth in a row and dropped to 12-24.

Soto launched a two-run homer on the first pitch he saw in the first inning. He connected for a 440-foot drive on a fastball from Houston rookie Spencer Arrighetti (0-4), sending his 10th homer off an advertisement at the back of the Astros’ bullpen in left-center field.

“I feel like when I’m hitting the ball that way and I’m in my best path and my swing is in the best spot, it’s everything that I’ve been asking for with all my practices and everything,” Soto said.

New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton reacts after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Judge lined a 404-foot shot to right-center to open the third. Two batters later, Stanton’s 447-foot solo drive stayed fair inside the left-field foul pole.

It was Stanton’s third hardest-hit homer since Statcast tracking began in 2015, and it came one night after he launched a 118.8 mph homer off Justin Verlander.

“I feel like the night before he had the hardest hit in baseball,” Judge said. “Then he outdid himself again tonight. Just impressive.”

Judge’s homer was part of his second three-hit game this season. He added a pair of doubles, including a two-run double that put the Yankees up 8-1 in the sixth.

Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti walks on the mound after giving up a home run to New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York improved to 34-4 when Stanton and Judge homer in the same game, including the postseason.

Throw in Soto’s drive, and the trio hit a combined 1,291 feet of home runs.

New York beat the Astros for the ninth straight time dating to last year. The season series concludes Thursday at Yankee Stadium.

New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge gestures after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Since the start of last season, the Yankees are 11-2 against Houston, which eliminated them from the playoffs four times from 2015-22, including in the AL Championship Series in 2017, 2019 and 2022.

Soto also hit RBI singles in the second and eighth along with a run-scoring groundout in the sixth. He is batting .538 (14 for 26) against the Astros in his first season with the Yankees and had his fourth career game with at least five RBIs.

New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge reacts after hitting a two-run double, next to Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

“He’s always been hard (to face),” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “It doesn’t matter who’s pitching. Juan Soto is a great hitter.”

New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge watches his two-run double against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Jake Meyers hit an RBI triple and Jose Altuve had an RBI double in the ninth for Houston, which got 11 hits but went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge celebrates with Gleyber Torres (25) after the Yankees defeated the Houston Astros in a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Arrighetti allowed five runs and eight hits in five innings.

New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

TRAINER’S ROOM

Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz, left, talks to pitcher Spencer Arrighetti after New York Yankees’ Anthony Volpe walked to load the bases during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Astros: RHP Cristian Javier (neck), who pitched 3 1/3 innings Saturday in a rehab start for Double-A Corpus Christi, threw a bullpen ahead of his return to the rotation this weekend. … RHP Jose Urquidy (right forearm) and OF Chas McCormick (right hamstring) are expected to begin rehab assignments this weekend.

New York Yankees’ Juan Soto beats Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti to first base for a run-scoring infield single during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Yankees: RHP Tommy Kahnle (right shoulder) struck out two in one inning for Class A Tampa during his first minor league rehab appearance. Kahnle will appear in at least four more rehab games before possibly being activated. … RHP Nick Burdi (right hip), who made his first rehab appearance for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, could be activated Friday.

UP NEXT

Houston RHP Ronel Blanco (3-0, 2.09 ERA) opposes RHP Marcus Stroman (2-1, 3.41) in Thursday’s series finale.

Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti throws to a New York Yankees batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb