Ben Rice Powers Yankees to Game 1 Victory in Absence of Aaron Judge
Rookie slugger hits two home runs, including a grand slam, and drives in six runs to lead New York past Boston.
Ben Rice carried the Yankees' offense in Game 1 of the AL wild-card series against the Red Sox, delivering two home runs and six RBIs in a 9-0 victory. With regular star Aaron Judge still sidelined by a strained calf, Rice has been a consistent offensive force for New York throughout the season.
Rice, batting second in the order, hit a double in the second inning and later a solo home run in the fifth inning off left-handed pitcher Erik Miller. He added to the lead in the seventh with a bases-loaded single and capped his performance with a grand slam in the eighth inning. His four hits and six RBIs paced the Yankees' offense, which otherwise struggled in key spots.
Earlier in the season, Rice emerged as an MVP candidate before Judge's injury. After Judge's absence, Rice experienced a slump, but he finished the regular season strongly, posting a 1.023 OPS in his final 28 games and reaching 41 home runs. His performance in Game 1 suggests he is prepared to shoulder a significant offensive burden as the Yankees navigate the playoffs without Judge.