The New York Yankees made history on August 29, 2023, by hitting a franchise record-tying nine home runs in a commanding 13-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Following a delay of nearly two hours due to rain and lightning, the team showcased its power with consecutive home runs from Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton in the first inning, setting the stage for a dominant performance.
This achievement marks the second time this season that the Yankees have hit nine home runs in a single game, having previously accomplished the feat during a 20-9 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in March. According to Major League Baseball (MLB), the Yankees are the first franchise in league history to record two games with nine home runs in the same season.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed pride in 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 the MLB’s all-time record of ten homers 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 each to the tally.
Bellinger highlighted the team’s offensive strength, 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.”
The victory improved the Yankees’ record to 68-57, placing them at the top of the American League Wild Card standings, while they remain five games behind the Blue Jays in the American League East. The Rays, on the other hand, fell to 61-65, positioning them fourth in the division.
Looking ahead, the two teams will meet again for the second game of their series on Wednesday night in Tampa, as the Yankees aim to continue their momentum and further solidify their playoff aspirations.
