Ben Rice Homers 2 Times As New York Yankees Sweep Baltimore Orioles

Ben Rice capped off a great regular season by hitting two home runs as the Yankees swept the Baltimore Orioles yesterday. Rice developed this year, and the Yankees have to be happy with that. The Yankees won the game 3-2, though they will be the top wild card because the Toronto Blue Jays won. The Yankees host the rival Boston Red Sox tomorrow at 6 p.m. Luis Gil pitched fairly well, but the Yankees’ bullpen was great again. Do you think Rice makes the Yankees’ batting order deeper?

Lineups: As Ben Rice Dominates

The Baltimore Orioles had Jackson Holiday leading off, and he was the second baseman. Jordan Westburg was the third baseman and batted second. Gunnar Henderson was the shortstop and batted third. Tyler O’Neill was the right fielder and batted fourth. Audley Rutschman was the catcher and batted fifth. Jorge Mateo pinch-ran for him. Ryan Mountcastle was the designated hitter and batted sixth. Dylan Beavers was the left fielder and batted seventh. Colton Cowser was the center fielder and batted eighth. Coby Mayo was the first baseman and batted ninth.

For the Yankees, Trent Grisham played center field and led off. Ben Rice was the first baseman and batted second. Paul Goldschmidt came in to play defense for him. Aaron Judge was the right fielder and batted third. Cody Bellinger was the left fielder and batted fourth. Giancarlo Stanton was the designated hitter and batted fifth. Austin Wells was the catcher and batted sixth. Anthony Volpe was the shortstop and batted in the seventh spot. Ryan McMahon was the third baseman and batted eighth. Jose Cabaerollo was the second baseman and batted ninth. Jazz Chishlom Jr. batted for him in the seventh inning.

News and Notes

The focus now is on the postseason with the Yankees hosting the Red Sox. The Rice heroics were part of a wild day in Major League Baseball. Because the wild card series starts for the Yankees on Tuesday, there will be no rest for them. The Yankees are going to host all three games, which gives them a big advantage. Judge also won the American League batting title.

Game Reaction

The two home runs by Rice in the Yankees’ 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles had him finish with twenty-six home runs. Judge started in right field for the Yankees, and Stanton was the designated hitter. It seems the Yankees are going to keep this batting and fielding lineup in the postseason. Gil did walk two and did give up two home runs, but he pitched well enough that he will start the fourth game of the Division series, if the Yankees make it there.

Scoring Summary

In the first inning, Rice hit a solo home run. It was 1-0 Yankees. In the fourth inning, Westberg hit a solo home run. The game was tied at 1. Then, Henderson hit a solo home run. It was 2-1, Orioles. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Stanton singled and Aaron Judge scored. The game was tied at 2. In the eighth inning, Rice hit his second solo home run of the game. The Yankees lead 3-2. That is how the game and season ended.

Conclusion

Rice has been good for the Yankees all year, and his two home runs yesterday topped off his season at 26 home runs. Gil allowed two home runs and walked two in five innings. He probably did enough to start if the Yankees find themselves in a seven-game series. What was really a good development for the Yankees was their high-leverage relievers, even Devin Williams pitched well. The Yankees host the Red Sox on Tuesday night. That game sees Max Fried face Garrett Crochet.