New York Yankees Shatter Records with Nine Home Runs in Rout of Tampa Bay Rays
The New York Yankees made baseball history on Tuesday night, tying a club record with a franchise-best nine home runs in a commanding 13-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. The powerful display cemented the team’s status as a major force in the league, with several players hitting key milestones in the historic game.
Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger each hit two home runs, while captain Aaron Judge launched his 40th of the season. The offensive explosion started early, with Judge, Bellinger, and Stanton hitting back-to-back-to-back homers in the first inning just minutes after a nearly two-hour rain delay.
Record-Setting Offense and Key Player Milestones
The Bronx Bombers showed their offensive might against Rays pitcher Shane Baz, who gave up six runs and five home runs in just three innings. The Yankees’ historic home run count was also bolstered by two from José Caballero, his first career multi-homer game, as well as solo shots from Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ben Rice.
Beyond the record books, the game was a milestone night for Aaron Judge. His 40th home run of the season makes him only the fourth player in Yankees history to have at least four seasons with 40 or more home runs, joining baseball legends Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Mickey Mantle.
The team’s performance was also a repeat of history, as they had previously hit nine home runs in their second game of the season against Milwaukee on March 29. The victory extended New York’s winning streak to four games.
Why the Game Was Played in Tampa
The New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays game was a road contest for the Yankees, but it was played at their spring training home, George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The Rays are temporarily playing their home games there while their regular stadium, Tropicana Field, undergoes repairs. The cozy dimensions of the smaller ballpark were no doubt a factor in the Yankees’ home run barrage.
The victory showcased the immense power of the Yankees’ lineup and their ability to produce game-changing hits, proving they are a force to be reckoned with as the season progresses.