The New York Yankees achieved a remarkable feat by hitting a franchise record-tying nine home runs in a commanding 13-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on August 29, 2023. Following a nearly two-hour delay due to rain and lightning, the Yankees showcased their offensive strength early in the game, with Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton launching consecutive home runs in the first inning, setting the tone for a blowout win.
This impressive performance not only matched the Yankees’ previous record of nine home runs, established earlier in the season during a 20-9 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in March, but also marked a historic moment in Major League Baseball (MLB). The Yankees became the first franchise in MLB history to record two games with nine home runs in a single season. “To do it twice, that’s remarkable,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, according to MLB. “There were some 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 breaking the all-time MLB record of ten home runs in a single game, a milestone set by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1987. In total, Bellinger, Stanton, and José Caballero each hit two homers, while Judge, Ben Rice, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. contributed one home run each.
Bellinger expressed confidence in the team’s abilities, stating, “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 themselves atop the American League Wild Card standings, while remaining five games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East. The Rays, now at 61-65, dropped to fourth place in their division.
As the teams prepare for the second game of the series on Wednesday night in Tampa, the Yankees will look to build on this historic performance and continue their push for a playoff berth.
