The New York Yankees needed just one inning to take control on Sunday, and it turned into one of the most explosive offensive outbursts in franchise history.
In a 13-8 victory over the Athletics that secured the weekend series, the Yankees scored all 13 of their runs during a stunning third inning. Entering the frame trailing 3-0, New York’s lineup erupted for a rally that came within a single run of matching the highest-scoring inning ever recorded by the franchise.
One Run Shy of History
The performance fell just short of a Yankees record that has stood for more than a century. The franchise mark remains the 14-run inning produced by the 1920 Yankees against the Washington Senators on July 6, 1920, a game marked by numerous defensive miscues. Sunday’s 13-run explosion now joins a very short list of the most productive innings in club history.
The Yankees also matched the 13-run inning they produced against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 21, 2005, another occasion when the club came within one run of tying the all-time franchise mark.
Yankees Pile Up Runs Without a Home Run
What made the rally even more remarkable was how it happened. In an era where offensive fireworks are often powered by home runs, the Yankees did not hit a single ball out of the park during the inning. Instead, they pieced together 13 runs on 11 hits across 18 plate appearances while drawing four walks and swiping four bases.
Ben Rice played a major role in the outburst. The first baseman finished 2-for-5 with four RBIs and delivered both a double and a triple during the decisive third inning. Former Athletic Max Schuemann contributed as well, going 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored. Trent Grisham added multiple RBIs, helping keep the line moving throughout the relentless rally.
Aaron Judge was relatively quiet compared to some of his teammates, but the Yankees captain still drove in his fourth run of the series. Cody Bellinger chipped in with an RBI and a walk while finishing 2-for-4.
Bullpen Holds On After Offensive Explosion
The massive inning proved necessary because New York’s offense went silent afterward. The Yankees failed to score again for the remainder of the game, leaving the bullpen to protect the lead.
The Athletics made things interesting by scoring four runs in the seventh inning and another in the eighth. What appeared to be a comfortable blowout suddenly required New York’s relievers to navigate late-game pressure. Despite the comeback attempt, the Yankees held on to secure the win.
With the victory, New York improved to 36-23 on the season and moved within 1.5 games of the first-place Rays in the American League East. One unforgettable inning proved to be all the Yankees needed to leave town with another series win and keep pace in the division race.
