The balls just kept flying out of George M. Steinbrenner Field on Tuesday night as the New York Yankees matched a single-game franchise record with nine home runs in a 13-3 blowout victory against the Tampa Bay Rays.
After a rain delay of nearly two hours, the Bronx Bombers came out swinging. Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton went back-to-back-to-back in the first inning off Rays starter Shane Baz. Jose Caballero added his first homer as a Yankee in the second, moments after receiving a tribute video from his former club. Jazz Chisholm Jr. joined the barrage with a solo shot in the third before Stanton and rookie Ben Rice each connected in the fourth. Bellinger added his second blast in the sixth, and Caballero went deep again in the ninth to cap the historic power display.
Bellinger, Stanton, and Caballero became just the second trio in Yankees history to hit multiple home runs in the same game, joining Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Bill Skowron in 1961.
On the mound, Carlos Rodón battled through humid conditions to deliver six innings, allowing just two runs on five hits with five strikeouts. Mark Leiter Jr., Yerry De Los Santos, and Tim Hill handled the final three frames.
New York has won four straight and six of seven while taking over sole possesion of the first wild-card spot in the Americna League for the first time since August 1.
Box Score | AL Wild Card Standings
The Yankees (68-57) and Rays (61-65) wrap up their quick two-game set on Wednesday night as rookie Cam Schlittler faces Drew Rasmussen, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].