Juan Soto’s 39th homer as a Yankee came in an enormous spot — and with some added drama.
With the Yankees’ offense flailing for a second straight night against the Royals, Soto came to the plate in the bottom of the sixth with Gleyber Torres on first, one out and the team having not scored since Monday.
Then Soto drilled a foul ball off his right foot and was hobbled in pain.
Juan Soto is checked on by a trainer and Aaron Boone after taking a foul ball off his foot during the sixth inning of the Yankees’ 4-3, 11-inning win over the Royals on Sept. 11, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg/New York PostThe right fielder walked toward first base as he tried to shake off the discomfort, hoping to continue his at-bat against Cole Ragans.
Eventually, after going down to the ground and being tended to by the training staff, Soto got back in the box and two pitches later, drilled a go-ahead, two-run homer to right.
Soto flipped his bat and yelled toward the Yankee dugout after the 407-foot shot.
It gave the Yankees a one-run lead that they gave up in the next inning, but the blast was key in a much-needed 4-3, 11-inning win in The Bronx.
“It was a lot of pain, but I tried to focus on the at-bat,” Soto said. “Sometimes when you hit yourself like that, you kind of go away from the at-bat, so I tried to focus, take my time, go in there and make good contact.”
Juan Soto hits a two-run home run during the sixth inning of the Yankees’ victory. Charles Wenzelberg/New York PostHe did that and then some, not to anyone’s surprise.
“I saw him get hurt and then get up,’’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. said. “I knew with the way he was looking, he was about to do something.”
Aaron Boone was initially concerned Soto wouldn’t be able to finish the at-bat. That went away quickly with the homer.
Juan Soto is checked on by a trainer and Aaron Boone after taking a foul ball off his foot during the sixth inning of the Yankees’ win. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post“That was a huge swing by Juan there,’’ Boone said. “A little rope-a-dope. He got up off the mat and put one in the seats.”
Boone added with a smile Soto has “that theatric thing down pretty good.”
But there was no denying the ball “smoked” him, as Boone said, and missed the protective padding around his foot.
Juan Soto celebrates after belting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of the Yankees’ victory. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post“Maybe it locked him in even more,’’ Boone said.
Soto said he still felt some pain during the rest of the at-bat and the foot was sore as he rounded the bases, but there was already improvement after the game and he hoped to be in the lineup Thursday against the Red Sox.
The home run wasn’t just crucial to the Yankees winning the series over the Royals, but it got Soto to the 100-RBI milestone for the third time in his career.
