Watch: Giancarlo Stanton blasts two home runs as Yankees snap losing streak
Giancarlo Stanton was not selected for the 2023 Home Run Derby, but the New York Yankees had one of their own on Saturday as he blasted two hits out of the park in the 6-3 win against the Chicago Cubs that snapped their three-game losing streak.
The first home run came in the opening inning after Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly had already taken care of two of Stanton's teammates. The outfielder, who sat out a month and a half this spring with a hamstring injury, stepped up to the plate, took an outside pitch and then swung to smack the ball 447 feet to the second tier of seats at Yankee Stadium. He trotted around the bases as fans cheered for New York's first score of the day.
After Josh Donaldson hit a home run of his own in the next inning to further the Yankees' lead, Stanton's second blast came in the fifth. Last year's All-Star MVP took two strikes from Michael Rucker before connecting on a third pitch that he sent out to right field. The ball danced around the foul pole before landing in the grass behind outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who ran into the wall trying to chase it. The hit was initially ruled a triple that sent Gleyber Torres home.
Injured slugger Aaron Judge was among those calling for a review to determine if the hit was a home run. After a look at the replay, the umpire ruled that the ball did hit the foul pole for a home run and sent Stanton around to score.
Stanton now has nine home runs on the season. In 2017, his last season with the Miami Marlins, he led the major leagues with 59 home runs and won the MVP award.
The 2023 Home Run Derby is Monday and features Julio Rodríguez seeking to take the crown against Mookie Betts, Pete Alonso and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. after being runner-up to Juan Soto last year.