Hicks bails out Yanks
HR helps make day semi sweet vs. Nats
Aaron Hicks’ go-ahead two-run homer sparked chants of “Let’s go, Yankees!” on the road and helped New York beat the Nationals, 4-2, in the second game of an unusual semi-doubleheader yesterday in Washington, after pinch-hitter Juan Soto’s tiebreaking two-run shot for the Nationals won the opener, 5-3.
These games originally were scheduled more than a month ago, and Game 1 resumed after being suspended because of rain in the middle of the sixth — so technically, Soto managed to homer in a game played before he made his major league debut. Huh?
The 19-year-old Soto was called up from the minors for the first time five days after Game 1 started on May 15; it picked back up at 3-all and the Nationals about to bat in the bottom of the sixth. After Bryce Harper — who had a full beard back on May 15, when the game began, but was clean-shaven this time — struck out, and Anthony Rendon singled, Soto drove a 97 mph fastball from Chad Green (4-1) to the back of the second deck in right field.
“I thought he had a good chance to hit the ball hard,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “That was hard.”
It was Soto’s sixth homer since he was brought up from Double-A Harrisburg on May 20 — and second against the Yankees. Soto stood and admired this one before beginning his trot around the bases.
Soto’s stats — and all others from Game 1 — will count as being part of the originally scheduled game on May 15, but Soto’s official debut will still be considered to have happened on the actual date it happened, according to the Nationals, citing the Elias Sports Bureau.
Wander Suero (1-0) got the win, Sean Doolittle struck out Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton and got Gary Sanchez to fly out to center in the ninth for his 18th save.
The Nats had lost five-ofsix games entering the day.
Game 2, which was completely rained out May 16, began a half-hour after Game 1 finished, and Washington led 2-1 before Hicks’ ninth homer, which came in the fifth against Erick Fedde (0-2) and got plenty of Yankees fans in the sellout crowd of 42,723 excited — and loud.
The rookie righty lost to the Yankees for the second time in less than a week, giving up three runs in 51⁄3 innings this time.
Stanton provided some cushion with an RBI double off Sammy Solis in the seventh. Sonny Gray (5-4) allowed two runs in fiveplus innings.
In other news with the Nationals, right-hander Kelvin Herrera was acquired from the Kansas City Royals for three minor leaguers. Herrera has 14 saves and a 1.05 ERA this season. He is a two-time AL All-Star who helped Kansas City win the 2015 World Series. In eight seasons, he is 23-27 with 57 saves and a 2.75 ERA.
American League
Indians 6, White Sox 2 — Trevor Bauer shut out Chicago for seven innings before a rain delay ended his night, and Jason Kipnis homered to lead host Cleveland to a win.
National League
Pirates 1, Brewers 0 — Trevor Williams pitched one-hit ball over seven innings and two Pittsburgh relievers closed out a twohitter in a tight victory over visiting Milwaukee.
Phillies 6, Cardinals 5 — Left fielder Marcell Ozuna dived for and missed Aaron Altherr’s two-run double with two outs in the 10th inning, allowing host Philadelphia to rally for a win over St. Louis.
Dodgers-Cubs, ppd. — The series opener between Los Angeles and host Chicago was postponed by rain and a limited power outage at Wrigley Field.