‘Loud Sound in Cage, Then on Field’: Aaron Judge on Juan Soto’s “Right Before Game” Power Surge Igniting Gerrit Cole’s Dominant Outing

The New York Yankees silenced the raucous Rogers Centre crowd on a sunny Sunday afternoon, securing an 8-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The unexpected hero? Juan Soto, whose pre-game batting practice power surge foreshadowed a triumphant return to the lineup and ignited the Yankees’ offensive explosion. Aaron Judge recalled the moment that changed the game’s trajectory after the win. “Just right before the game, I heard him, you know, hitting in the cage, and it sounded pretty loud,” he told YES Network.

“So I figured that was a good sign.” That “loud sound” translated into a thunderous two-run homer in the very first inning, Soto’s 31st of the season, giving the Yankees an early lead they would never relinquish.

Soto’s presence, initially uncertain because of a bruised right hand, proved to be the catalyst for the Yankees’ offensive onslaught. His first-inning blast not only set the tone but also provided a crucial cushion for Gerrit Cole, who was eager to rebound from a previous subpar performance against the Mets.

“Getting those two runs and allowing our ace to go out and have a little bit of a lead so he can go out and focus on making his pitches and not trying to do too much,” Judge explained, emphasizing the psychological impact of Soto’s early contribution.

Cole, armed with a two-run lead, delivered a masterful performance and showcased his full arsenal of pitches. He struck out 6 batters over 5 innings, allowing only 3 hits, a run, and a walk while hitting 2 batters.

His cutter, slider, and curveball were particularly sharp, keeping the Blue Jays’ hitters off balance throughout his outing.

Echoes in the cage, fireworks on the field—the Juan Soto effect

The Yankees’ offense wasn’t a one-man show. DJ LeMahieu and Trent Grisham each contributed two RBIs, further solidifying the team’s offensive depth. LeMahieu delivered a crucial RBI single in the second and a double in the fifth. On the other hand, Grisham added a two-run double in the fifth, extending the Yankees’ lead to a commanding 7-1. Gleyber Torres also chipped in with two hits, showcasing his ability to hit to all fields.

The Blue Jays’ lone run came in the third inning when Justin Turner singled home Spencer Horwitz, who had walked and advanced on a hit-by-pitch. Despite this brief offensive spark, the Blue Jays were unable to overcome the Yankees’ relentless attack.

The Yankees added an insurance run in the 6th when Alex Verdugo and Ben Rortvedt doubled against reliever Nate Pearson. Verdugo came close to adding another home run in the 8th, but Kevin Kiermaier made a leaping catch at the wall, robbing him of extra bases.

In the end, the Yankees cruised to an 8-1 victory, tying the 4-game series with the Blue Jays.

The win highlighted the team’s resilience, and offensive firepower, along with the undeniable impact of Juan Soto’s return. As Aaron Judge aptly put it, “When he’s on like that, you want him throughout for nine.”