Soto has 1st career 3-homer game as Yankees beat White Sox 4-1 behind Cortes

CHICAGO (AP) — Juan Soto had his first career three-homer game, Nestor Cortes tossed seven shutout innings and the New York Yankees held off the Chicago White Sox 4-1 on Tuesday night to take sole possession of the AL East lead.

Soto tagged starter Jonathan Cannon (2-6) for a two-run shot to left field in the third inning and went the other way again on a leadoff homer in the fifth. The four-time All-Star added his 33rd of the season in the seventh off left-handed reliever Fraser Ellard, pulling a drive to right that made it 4-0.

With a chance to match the major league record of four home runs in a game, Soto walked his final time up in the ninth. He smiled after swinging and missing at a 3-0 pitch that was a little out of the strike zone.

Cortes (6-10), who gave up nine hits and six earned runs in a short outing against the Angels five days earlier, scattered three hits and equaled his season best with nine strikeouts.

Luis Robert Jr. spoiled New York’s shutout bid with an eighth-inning RBI single off Mark Leiter Jr. Jake Cousins, the last of four relievers, got three outs — two with the bases loaded — for his first career save.

The Yankees moved a half-game in front of second-place Baltimore, which lost to the Washington Nationals.

Cannon gave up five hits and walked three while striking out four in 4 2/3 innings. The major league-worst White Sox (29-92) had five hits one night after rolling up 18 in a 12-2 victory. They’ve dropped 31 of their last 36 games.

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge went 2 for 3 with a pair of singles and two walks to remain at 299 career home runs.

Soto produced the 40th three-homer game in Yankees history, including the postseason, and second this year — following rookie Ben Rice on July 6 against Boston.

The 25-year-old Soto has 23 career multi-homer games. The only player with more by age 25 was Hall of Fame slugger Mel Ott with 24.

In his last 28 games, Soto is batting .351 with 12 home runs and a 1.233 OPS.

New York manager Aaron Boone said before the game that third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. is likely headed to the injured list with a left elbow injury. It appears Chisholm damaged the ulnar collateral ligament on a slide in Monday’s game.

The club expects to have enough diagnostic information to make a decision by Wednesday.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Yankees: C Jose Trevino (left quadriceps strain) was scheduled to make another rehab start for Double-A Somerset on Tuesday. He’s been on the 10-day IL since July 13. … Boone said RHP Ian Hamilton (lat strain) will throw a live bullpen this weekend. He’s been out since June 18.

White Sox: Robert was back in the lineup after getting a day off Monday. … The club hasn’t given up on getting 3B Yoán Moncada (adductor strain) back this season, but interim manager Grady Sizemore said there still isn’t a clear timetable for a potential return. Moncada hasn’t played since early April.

UP NEXT

Chicago RHP Davis Martin (0-1, 3.65 ERA) makes his third start of the season in Wednesday night’s series finale. The Yankees had not announced a scheduled starter.

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Chicago White Sox pitcher Jonathan Cannon follows through during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

New York Yankees' Juan Soto celebrates his third home run of the game during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

The New York Yankees outfielders from left, Alex Verdugo, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto celebrate the team's 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

New York Yankees' Juan Soto, right, watches his home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon, his second of the game, in the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells, left, and relief pitcher Jake Cousins celebrate the team's 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

New York Yankees' Juan Soto, right, celebrates his home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon with Aaron Judge during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

New York Yankees' Juan Soto, right, celebrates his home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon with third base coach Luis Rojas during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

New York Yankees' Juan Soto tosses his bat after hitting a home run off Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Fraser Ellard, Soto's third of the game, during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

New York Yankees' Juan Soto watches his two-run home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

TOKYO (AP) — Fiji stretched its Pacific Nations Cup rugby defense to the final after topping the United States by a hard-fought 22-3 on Saturday.

The U.S. started and finished well but wasn't clinical, while Fiji dominated the second and third quarters to put their first meeting in 10 years beyond doubt in a humid Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.

Japan and Samoa meet in the second semifinal in the same stadium on Sunday to decide who plays Fiji in the final next weekend in Osaka.

Fiji moved up a gear after the water break midway through the first half. Flanker Meli Derenalagi was denied a try by Eagles No. 8 Thomas Tu'avao, but Fiji leveled with a penalty by the inventive Caleb Muntz.

Fiji forced an attacking lineout but the U.S. stole the throw-in. But Fiji tacklers backpedalled the U.S. and they blew the Americans off a tryline ruck for No. 8 Elia Canakaivala to score. Muntz's conversion made it 10-3 after an even first half.

The U.S. scrum was under pressure that wouldn't ease until the last quarter but its scrambling defense was keeping it in the game.

That was until wing Vuate Karawalevu slipped a tackle and two passes later Canakaivata swan-dived to his second try.

While captain and hooker Tevita Ikanivere was in the sin-bin for a dangerous clearout, teammate Ilaisa Droasese broke on the left wing and replacement prop Peni Ravai rumbled down the right touch and looked set to score. But Ravai, in his 50th test, tripped himself and Karawalevu was on hand to give scrumhalf Frank Lomani the third and last try.

Fiji players celebrate after the team's try during the semifinal of the Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.(AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Conner Mooneyham of the U.S. catches the ball against Fijian defense during the semifinal at the Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.(AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Fiji's Vuate Karawalevu, left, runs past Tavite Lopeti of the U.S., during the semifinal of the Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.(AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Fiji's Frank Lomani, center, scores try against Cory Daniel of the U.S, during the semifinal of the Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.(AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)