The New York Yankees showcased their offensive prowess by hitting a franchise record-tying nine home runs in a commanding 13-3 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 29, 2023. After nearly two hours of delays caused by rain and lightning, the game began with a powerful display from the Yankees’ hitters, including Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton, who launched consecutive home runs in the first inning.
This achievement marks the second time this season that the Yankees have hit nine homers in a game, equaling the record they set earlier in March during a 20-9 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. According to Major League Baseball (MLB), this feat makes the Yankees the first franchise in league history to record two games with nine home runs in a single season.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed pride in his team’s remarkable 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 were just one home run shy of the all-time MLB record of ten in a 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 home run each to the tally.
Bellinger commented on the team’s offensive capabilities, saying, “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.”
With this victory, the Yankees improved their season record to 68-57, positioning them at the top of the American League Wild Card standings, although they remain five games behind the Blue Jays in the AL East. The Rays, on the other hand, fell to 61-65, placing them fourth in the division.
The teams will meet again for the second game of the series on the night of August 30, 2023, in Tampa, where the Yankees will look to build on their impressive offensive momentum.
