The New York Yankees set a franchise record by hitting nine home runs in a commanding 13-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on August 29, 2023. This performance marks the second time this season that the Yankees have achieved the feat, having previously tied the record during a 20-9 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in March. With this achievement, the Yankees became the first franchise in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to record two games with nine home runs in the same season.
The game was delayed for nearly two hours due to rain and lightning before players took the field. Once the action commenced, the Yankees quickly established their dominance. Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton launched consecutive home runs in the first inning, setting the tone for a blowout victory.
Historic Performance and Manager’s Praise
Manager Aaron Boone expressed his admiration for the team’s performance, stating, “To do it twice, that’s remarkable. There were some ones that were seriously hit, too. Just a really impressive offensive showing against a team that is not always easy to score runs against.” The Yankees fell just one home run short of matching the all-time MLB record of ten home runs in a single game, set by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1987.
Bellinger, Stanton, and José Caballero each contributed two home runs, while Judge, Ben Rice, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. added one apiece. Bellinger emphasized the strength of the team’s offense, remarking, “We have a really good offense. With the ebbs and flows of a 162-game season, it’s not always going to be pretty, but we all believe in each other. The talent’s there, and we’re doing a good job of putting it all together. It’s been fun to be a part of.”
Implications for the Standings
The win propelled the Yankees to a record of 68-57, placing them at the top of the American League Wild Card standings. They are currently five games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East. In contrast, the Rays fell to 61-65, ranking fourth in the division.
The second game of the series is scheduled for Wednesday night in Tampa, where the Yankees will look to build on their momentum from this historic victory. As the season progresses, the Yankees hope to continue their offensive prowess and secure a playoff berth.