TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — In an impressive display of power, José Caballero matched his entire season total of two home runs in just one night, leading the New York Yankees to a resounding 13-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. This remarkable performance came during his first game back at George M. Steinbrenner Field, where he faced his former team. Caballero, a speedy utilityman, attributed his success to the influence of his new teammates, stating, “I think it’s from hanging around with these guys.”
Caballero’s two home runs were part of a historic night for the Yankees, who showcased their offensive prowess with a total of nine home runs. This feat not only tied a franchise record but also marked a significant milestone in Major League Baseball history. Alongside Caballero, Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger also contributed two home runs each, while Aaron Judge launched his 40th home run of the season. Remarkably, the Yankees became the first team in MLB history to hit nine home runs in a game twice in a single season, having achieved the same feat earlier in the year against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 29.
The Yankees’ power display was not just a random occurrence; it was only the fourth time in MLB history that a team has hit nine or more home runs in a single game. The all-time record for home runs in a game stands at ten, set by the Toronto Blue Jays on September 14, 1987. Other contributors to the Yankees' power explosion included Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ben Rice, both of whom also went deep. As a result of this victory, the Yankees extended their winning streak to four games, demonstrating their dominance in the league.
Playing at their spring training home, George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees capitalized on the field's cozy dimensions, drawing a crowd of 10,046 fans. The game was briefly delayed by nearly two hours due to rain, but that did not dampen the Yankees' spirits. In a stunning start, Judge, Bellinger, and Stanton hit back-to-back-to-back home runs off pitcher Shane Baz, giving New York an early 3-0 lead just four batters into the game. This achievement marked the third instance in the season where the Yankees hit three consecutive home runs in the first inning, a testament to their explosive hitting capability.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised his players' performance, noting the quality of their at-bats. He remarked, “The first three were just kind of no-doubters, with Judge hitting it almost all the way up the batter’s eye, and then Belly really leaning on one. And then Giancarlo, getting to two strikes there, just shot it the other way. In their own kind of way, three really good statement at-bats.”
The Yankees' recent success highlights their formidable offense and sets an exciting tone as they continue their quest for the postseason. With players like José Caballero stepping up, fans can expect more thrilling moments ahead.
