BTN News: Ben Rice, a rookie for the New York Yankees, set a franchise record by hitting three home runs in a single game, driving in seven runs to help the Yankees break a four-game losing streak with a 14-4 win over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.
Rice, the 25-year-old first baseman, began his remarkable performance with a solo home run to right field off Josh Winckowski. He followed this with a three-run homer against reliever Chase Anderson during a seven-run fifth inning. Rice capped his historic day with another home run off Anderson in the seventh inning.
“Everything was happening so fast,” Rice said. “I’m just glad I could do it. That was amazing!”
After Rice’s third home run, Dominican outfielder Juan Soto stepped out of the batter’s box to let the rookie enjoy one last standing ovation.
“What a game!” exclaimed Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “Starting with a home run in the first inning and going on to have a legendary day. It’s something he will never forget.”
Before this game, Rice had only one home run in his first 46 major league at-bats.
“It’s definitely a day I’ll never forget,” Rice added. “I’m thrilled because it was a great win for us against my hometown team.”
According to Elias Sports Bureau, Rice is the first Yankees rookie to hit three home runs in a single game in the team’s history.
“I knew right away he got all of it,” Boone said about Rice’s historic home run. “Wow, what a day!”
Alex Verdugo hit a two-run home run and D.J. LeMahieu drove in two runs for the Yankees, who have now won just five times in their last 19 games. Aaron Judge also contributed with two hits.
For Boston, Dominican slugger Rafael Devers hit a long home run and drove in two runs, reaching 1,000 career hits in the process. The Red Sox saw their five-game winning streak come to an end.
For the Red Sox, Venezuelan Wilyer Abreu went 0-for-3, while Dominicans Devers went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, and Emmanuel Valdez went 1-for-3 with a run.
For the Yankees, Dominican Juan Soto went 0-for-5, while Venezuelan Oswaldo Cabrera went 2-for-2 with a run and an RBI.
