Juan Soto swung, felt poor contact and slammed his bat down in frustration. He plays with such fire that seems to always find its way out, his sixth-inning ground out worthy of fury. It took one inning for Soto to swing again, a swing that swung both his emotions and the game. Sotos seventh-inning, three-run home run capped a breakout inning and helped the Yankees grab a 5-3 comeback win over the Rays in front of 36,055 in The Bronx on Friday. Juan Soto crushed a huge three-run homer for the Yankees. Noah K. Murray-NY Post Juan Soto extended the Yankees lead with the blast. Noah K. Murray-NY Post The Yankees (14-6) series-opening victory over a division rival ensured they have begun a season with 14 (or more) wins in their first 20 games for a fourth time this century. Explore More The Yankees are off to an uncommon start with an uncommon superstar who is playing like a $500 million man. I gue s sign on the dotted line, however much he wants, Clarke Schmidt (5 / innings, one run) said of Soto, a free agent at years end. He always comes through. Very rare to see a player of that caliber. Through six innings, the Yankees had tallied three hits and no runs, an offense that frequently showed its disappointment in a call-back to 2023. But the 2023 Yankees did not have Soto. New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto celebrates his monster home run. Noah K. Murray-NY Post New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) celebrates with New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99). Noah K. Murray-NY Post The Yankees seventh-inning rally began by taking advantage of Tampa Bays misplays. Errors from second baseman Curtis Mead and first baseman Yandy Diaz, sandwiched by a Jose Trevino walk, allowed the Yankees to tie the game. Anthony Volpe continued his strong start to his campaign with an RBI single to give the Yankees a 2-1 edge. Soto followed by demolishing a Chris Devenski fastball 409 feet into the right-field seats. Juan Soto jumped high in the air after his clutch homer. Santiago Espinal Jersey Noah K. Murray-NY Post Soto launched it but barely watched it go, instead staring and shouting into a Yankees dugout that might as well have been lit aflame. The only one staring at the trajectory, and not the batter, might have been the clubs manager. I was admiring where that ball was going, Aaron Boone said with a smile, before acknowledging the kind of impact the player and the person has had on the team. What hes doing between the lines is great, but I love what hes doing behind the scenes and in the room and just connecting with our team. The work and the pride he puts into all facets of the game, thats been the coolest thing to witne s. Twenty games into his Yankees tenure, Soto has launched five homers, is hitting .347 and carries a .468 on-base percentage. With runners in scoring position, he is a stunning 9-for-16 (.563) with three dingers and 17 RBIs. The 25-year-old arrived regarded as one of the best players in baseball, and its po sible he was underrated. New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) catches a fly out by the Tampa Bay Rays Richie Palacios. Noah K. Murray-NY Post New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) is greeted by New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) after Sotos catch. Noah K. Murray-NY Post His bat has been spectacular, his glove better than advertised. The first daily Soto highlight arrived in the third inning when Tampa Bays Richie Palacios smacked a deep drive to right field that Soto had a bead on. He tracked it, raised his glove and jumped, his back hitting the wall as he made the nice grab for the frames final out. Soto, who robbed at least a double, ran back to the dugout with a wide smile that would widen a few innings later. New York Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt (36) reacts on the mound during the second inning. Noah K. Murray-NY Post Soto arrived with questions about his defense questions that he is answering after plenty of offseason work and spring training drills, particularly with third-base coach and outfield instructor Luis Rojas. Soto acknowledged he heard the whispers about his defense. I think I can be out there and try to help my team as much as I hit and the defense, too, said Soto, whose homer created a cushion that the Yankees would need. After strong work from winning pitcher Dennis Santana, Ian Hamilton allowed two runs in the eighth. Clay Holmes recorded his eighth save with a scorele s, if eventful, ninth. New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) completes a double play. Noah K. Murray-NY Post Against Holmes, the Rays put two on for Randy Arozarena, who sent a bloop into shallow center where there appeared to be some confusion among the Yankees middle infielders. A charging Aaron Judge came on and dove, trapping the ball, but the Rays baserunners believed it was caught, so Judge threw to third base for a force out. A lengthy delay followed with both managers wanting an explanation on a play on which the infield fly rule was not called. One batter later, Palacios lined out to Volpe, who flipped to Gleyber Torres for a game-ending double play. New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays. Noah K. Murray-NY Post Soto jogged in from right field, where he left fans who were chanting M-V-P. I think its way too early, Soto said with a laugh. But definitely it feels great. Buck Farmer Jersey