In a thrilling finale, Juan Soto’s timely RBI single in the ninth inning propelled the New York Yankees to a dramatic 4-3 triumph over the Houston Astros on Sunday, completing a resounding four-game sweep to kick off the season.
Locked in a tense 3-3 deadlock, Gleyber Torres kickstarted the decisive rally with a crucial single off Astros’ closer Josh Hader, followed by a daring steal of second base. Soto, showcasing his prowess, delivered a sharp line drive to left field, driving in the go-ahead run and sealing the Yankees’ perfect 4-0 start to the season.
Manager Aaron Boone lauded Soto’s clutch performance, remarking, “It just put a bow on the series of what we saw in his at-bats.”
Soto’s remarkable debut with the Yankees saw him bat an impressive .529 (9-for-17) with four RBIs, proving instrumental in securing New York’s first 4-0 start since 2003 and only their fourth since 1950. Reflecting on his stellar start, Soto expressed satisfaction, stating, “That’s the kind of start I wanted.”
Despite a late scare from the Astros in the bottom of the ninth inning, with Jeremy Pena and pinch hitter Victor Caratini notching singles and Jose Altuve threatening with a hard-hit grounder, Yankees’ third baseman Jon Berti’s diving stop and subsequent forceout at third preserved the lead. A pivotal sliding catch by Alex Verdugo in left field on a ball hit by Kyle Tucker secured the victory, granting reliever Clay Holmes his third save of the season.
Boasting exceptional bullpen performances throughout the series, highlighted by Nick Burdi’s first big league win since 2019, Yankees’ relievers showcased their dominance, pitching 15⅓ scoreless innings against the Astros.
Despite Altuve’s standout performance, including a home run and a double, the Astros faltered to a disheartening 0-4 start, their first since 2011. With seven consecutive losses to the Yankees, including playoffs, first-year manager Joe Espada commended his team’s resilience, emphasizing the importance of fighting until the final out.
The Astros mounted a comeback effort in the sixth inning, sparked by Altuve’s double and capped off by Yainer Diaz’s clutch RBI single, knotting the score at 3-3. However, stellar relief pitching by the Yankees, coupled with timely hitting, ensured their victory.
Reflecting on the monumental sweep, starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt praised his team’s performance, stating, “Obviously you don’t play playoff games in March, but this was a big-time series and a big-time sweep and a really good way to start the season.”
With momentum on their side, the Yankees look to maintain their winning streak, while the Astros aim to bounce back from their early-season struggles as the season progresses.
