Yankees 13-run – Ben Rice drove in four runs as the Yankees exploded for a 13-run third inning—their biggest in 21 years—to beat the Athletics 13-8 on Sunday in West Sacramento.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Yankees didn’t just break open a game in the third inning. They turned it into a statement.
Ben Rice produced two extra-base hits and four RBIs during a 13-run rally that ended with New York on top 13-8 over the Athletics on Sunday. The inning was the biggest for the Yankees in 21 years, and it came with the kind of momentum that doesn’t need time to build.
New York got the first 12 batters on in the frame against Athletics pitchers Jacob Lopez (4-3) and Michael Kelly. It was the first time the Yankees have pulled that off in nearly 77 years, and it added to how historic the night looked from the start.
The surge wasn’t just about volume—it was about damage. Rice hurt hardest with a two-run double and a two-run triple. Eight of the nine Yankees batters in that inning recorded at least one hit and one RBI, while Austin Wells was the only exception, collecting two walks and scoring two runs.
When the 43-minute inning finally ended. the Yankees had poured out 11 hits. four walks. and four steals. sending 18 batters to the plate while throwing down on 75 pitches. The Athletics had to absorb it all. allowing the most runs in an inning to date this season’s history in this matchup context—most runs allowed in an inning by Oakland since a 14-run first inning against Cleveland on June 18. 1950.
The explosion also made the rest of the afternoon simpler for Will Warren. He had to work after allowing three unearned runs in the first, then settled down with five straight scoreless innings. That steadiness helped New York complete a 5-1 trip.
Oakland still found ways to respond. The Athletics scored four runs off reliever Tim Hill in the seventh, including a solo homer by Brent Rooker and a three-run shot by Jonah Heim.
Even with the Yankees’ outburst, the Athletics’ season-long rhythm entering the game was rough. Oakland allowed 47 runs on a 1-5 homestand that began with a three-game sweep by Seattle.
Both teams are off Monday before resuming play Tuesday.
New York will send RHP Cam Schittler (7-2, 1.50 ERA) to the home matchup against Cleveland’s Joey Castillo (4-2, 3.57). The Athletics counter with LHP Gage Jump (0-1, 7.20), who starts on the road against Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (2-4, 5.37).
New York Yankees Oakland Athletics Ben Rice Will Warren Tim Hill Jacob Lopez Michael Kelly 13-run third inning West Sacramento MLB
13 runs in the third?? That’s crazy lol. Ben Rice out here cooking.
So Oakland just forgot how to pitch for a whole inning? 21 years biggest third inning?? I don’t even watch much but that’s gotta be embarrassing.
I mean I get it was “historic” but it says the Yankees got the first 12 batters on… how does that even happen, like they didn’t strike out anyone? Also the article mentions 43-minute inning, but baseball innings aren’t even that fast right??
Athletics gave up 13-8 and still “responded” in the seventh? Sounds like the bullpen blew it again. Will Warren finally settled down after unearned runs… unearned but still counts, so idk. Yankees momentum doesn’t need time to build yeah sure, until they lose tomorrow lol