Nationals' Soto first 19-year-old in 12 years with 2-homer game

June 14 (UPI) -- Washington Nationals rookie Juan Soto hit two home runs in a historic performance against the New York Yankees.

The 19-year-old phenom became the youngest player in 12 years to have a multi-home-run game. The last player to do it was Andruw Jones, who went yard twice on Aug. 22, 1996 at 19 years and 121 days old for the Atlanta Braves. Soto is 19 years and 231 days old, making him the fifth-youngest player in MLB history to hit two home runs in a single game.

Soto swatted the homers during the Nationals' 5-4 win Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. The youngest player to ever accomplish the feat was Dan Murphy, who did it for the Chicago Cubs in 1961 at 19 years and 35 days old.

The Yankees led 3-1 entering the top of the fourth frame when Soto stepped up to bat with runners on first and third base. He took a 95.9-mph fastball for a ball from Yankees starter Sonny Gray. The Yankees rightly then tossed in a 95.5-mph fastball, which Soto deposited over the left field fence for a 338-foot three-run home run.

That ball traveled off his bat at 103.1-mph, according to Statcast.

Gleyber Torres hit a solo home run in the bottom of the next inning, tying the game for the Yankees at 4-4.

But the youngster wasn't finished making an impact. Soto stepped to the plate once again as the second batter in the top of the seventh frame. This time he settled in against Yankees reliever Chasen Shreve. The southpaw threw a 1-0 fastball to the rookie, with resulted in a solo home run to right center field and Soto's second four-bagger of the ballgame. That long ball traveled 436 feet and left his bat at 111.2-mph.

"For him to go out there and do what he did today, in front of this crowd, it tells you a little bit about the character that he brings," Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters.

Soto went 2-for-3, with four RBIs, two runs scored and a walk in the victory. He is hitting .344 with five home runs and 12 RBIs in 20 games for the Nationals.